Family and friends care for looked after children
Special guardianship orders can be used to provide legal permanence to a family and friends care arrangement and gives the guardian parental responsibility which they share with parents but which enables them to make most decisions about the child's day to day care.
Family and friends carers in private (CIN) family and friends care arrangements may apply to the court for a special guardianship order under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. For these cases, the Permanence team will carry out a special guardianship assessment for the court.
For looked after children, Camden will support the family and friends foster carer to apply to the court for a special guardianship order allowing the child to leave the care system.
Special guardianship assessments for these children are carried out by the Permanence team and support services are also provided by the team.
For details of special guardianship services in Camden please see the Special Guardianship policy.
Further practice guidance can also be found in the Special Guardianship procedures.
Social workers should also refer to the Public Law Working Group best practice guidance on special guardianship orders for further information.