Issue - meetings

To consider the introduction of an updated SGO policy to provide additional support to Special Guardians

The Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care & Health Systems, on behalf of the Cabinet Member: Early Years, Children & Young People, presented the report of the Director: Children’s Safeguarding & Family Support. The report set out the support available to Special Guardians, so that, if appropriate, foster carers could be encouraged to become Special Guardians to provide consistency for children.

Special Guardianship Orders were permanent arrangements, where adoption was not appropriate but were considered to be more secure than Child Arrangements Orders and did not end the legal relationship between a child and their birth parents like adoption.

The report outlined the support provided by the Council as part of the current SGO policy and the proposed additional supports.

Cabinet Members stated that the Council’s role as the corporate parent was the most important undertaken by the Council. Children who were unable to live with their birth families needed to have a range of options available to give them a sense of security and belonging.

The Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group welcomed the report and noted that the process to become a Special Guardian was very thorough.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group stated that all children want a loving, permanent home and noted that the work in the report would support this.

RESOLVED that:

a)    The updated Special Guardianship Order (SGO) support policy attached at Appendix A of this report be approved;

b)   Authority be delegated to the Director: Children’s Safeguarding & Family Support, following consultation with the Cabinet Member: Early Years, Children & Young People, to implement the policy with immediate effect.