Crazykids17 wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2024 12:54 pm
I have had my friends child for 18 months now on a full care order
(Approved foster carer) for 1 named child
We are in the process of waiting for paperwork to be filed to court all gold standards have been met for SGO and we are all good to go just waiting on social services manager approving it to be sent to court
What are we to expect to happen now
Parents are not in agreement with SGO dad wants child back but local authorities and guardian are saying no SGO is what they support
He has had loads of failed parenting assessments
But has recently been to prison realised and had a new girlfriend had a baby and a house and saying his life’s changed
Previous d/v alcohol & drug abuse put on probation scram tag from prison
Passed a parenting assessment from a different council to be around his new baby
Little one is 3
she’s had 3 family’s before us we’re her 4th home she’s been with us 18 months her longest home
I just want to keep her and make her life the best it can be
What are the chances an SGO will be granted in court
I’m worried
Dear Crazykids17
Welcome to the kinship carers’ discussion forum and thank you for posting.
My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group and I will be responding to your post.
I see that you have been caring for a 3 year old child for 18 months and was ap-proved as a foster carer to do so. You have had a positive assessment for special guardianship order (SGO) and hoping that the order will be made in your favour so that you can continue to care for her. Unfortunately, her parents do not support an SGO being made to you and you are concerned about the outcome of your application for the order.
The father’s history is not a good one which includes domestic abuse and custodial sentences. He has, however, been assessed positively with a new partner to have their baby in their care. Although this may be the case for this baby, it does not mean it that his daughter’s needs would be met living with him. There may be several reasons why this mother has been able to keep her baby and whether he is able to live with them remains to be seen. If he only recently left prison, and is in care proceedings for another child it seems the new authority should have investigated and sought information from the authority involved with his daughter.
The parents will both have to provide evidence to the court that the concerns that led to their daughter being removed from their care and subsequent behaviours has changed and or significantly changed. You do not mention the mother's issues but if they have failed parenting assessments, they challenge this and ask for further assessment but father has from what you say failed more than one already. If mother's circumstances are very different then the court will consider her position. Both parents will be looked at separately.
Both children’s services and the children’s guardian is supportive of the care plan for the little girl and whilst the judge does not have to accept their recommendations, he or she would have to give clear reasons why the reached a different decision. The guardian’s role is effectively the voice of the child and to consider the child’s welfare and what would be the best for that child. They make recommendations to the court related to the child’s welfare and what is in that child’s best interests.
She has been in a settled family for the last 18 months and to change the status quo and put her into an untried situation may be risky. There are no guarantees that this new relationship will not, due to his history, result in further incidents and then a further move for her. The judge’s decision must be based on all the circumstances of the case and the long-term welfare of the child. The child’s welfare is the paramount consideration.
There are no guarantees in a court case but from the information you have shared it seems unlikely the SGO order would not be made in your favour. Permanence and stability are important factors and she appears to have had stability with you and settled into family live.
You may find it helpful to read
HERE what the court must look at when making decisions about a child. This information related to
care proceedings might help you understand the process better.
Hope this is helpful, but should you wish to speak to an adviser you can telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Mon-day to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Best wishes
Suzie