Family Rights Group | Kinship carers’ Forum

Hello there I just wondered if any one could shed some light on my situation. My daughter was in an abusive relationship and has been staying in a mother and baby placement with my granddaughter (5months old) her assessment is now ended and unfortunately she has failed non parenting but her relationship as she still can't break away. The social have gone for seperation whilst I undergo my Sgo order i have had a a positive safeguarding and this is due to start the 1st April court hearings tomorrow and I'm attending ans putting forward to the judge that me granddaughter stays with me whilst I'm having my check which takes 12 weeks. Instead off going into temp foster care. What's the likely hood the judge will agree I can't bear to think off that little baby in temp care

Hello Chnatelleh74 and welcome to the forum.

I will reply briefly as the FRG advisors do not normally post at the weekend and as it seems the court case is tomorrow. However, what I say is based on personal experience over many years not knowledge of the current legal position.

If you have had a positive initial assessment on safeguarding, and there appears to be a plan to place your granddaughter with you anyway, I would hope that the court would avoid the possible harm that might come from multiple moves and place her straight with you. However, with possession of all the details, its impossible to be categorical about that.

I do suggest you consider attending court tomorrow if you can, and apply to become a party to proceedings. If you arrive early the court staff will help you make the application. There is though a fee that has to be paid that I believe is in the region of £250. The form is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... oceedings. but they will also have them at the court. As a party you get to see everything, and can make representations to the court. You do not need to be legally represented. The SW is likely to discourage you, but if decide to go ahead, just ignore them. Many seem to see it it as a threat to their authority, rather than a commitment by you to get the best result for the child.

If you get the chance to speak to the court, or the solicitor/barrister for the child if there is one, or your daughter's representative if she supports her daughter coming to you before the case is heard, keep pressing the point that it is well known that the number of changes of carer in the early years is a known factor in children with Attachment Disorders and you want to avoid storing up problems for the future.

I wish you luck ...... Robin

I have a c2 form already filled out
And the social are recommending that I am in party off proceedings they never told me there was a charge I have written a position statement. And my daughter is fully on board with her daughter to coming to me I really hope this goes hoe we want it to thank you for replying

Possibly the local authority will cover the cost. Lucky you if they do.

Fingers crossed it all goes well for you.

Chnatelleh74 wrote: Sun Mar 30, 2025 11:40 am Hello there I just wondered if any one could shed some light on my situation. My daughter was in an abusive relationship and has been staying in a mother and baby placement with my granddaughter (5months old) her assessment is now ended and unfortunately she has failed non parenting but her relationship as she still can't break away. The social have gone for seperation whilst I undergo my Sgo order i have had a a positive safeguarding and this is due to start the 1st April court hearings tomorrow and I'm attending ans putting forward to the judge that me granddaughter stays with me whilst I'm having my check which takes 12 weeks. Instead off going into temp foster care. What's the likely hood the judge will agree I can't bear to think off that little baby in temp care

Dear Chnatelleh74

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 respond to your posts today.

I see that you have already had some useful information from another poster on this forum.
It is unfortunate that your daughter did not have a positive parenting assessment but she is supportive of your granddaughter being in your care.

From what you say in your post, you wish to care for your granddaughter whilst being assessed for a special guardianship order (SGO). You have had a positive initial viability assessment and would prefer that your granddaughter not go into care. It appears that the social worker has already given you supportive information in suggesting that you complete form C2 to request party status within the care proceedings. The hearing would now have taken place, and I hope that you were successful in your request to have your granddaughter placed with you. This may have been done under an interim care order (ICO). This would be the best course for you as this would mean that your granddaughter is a looked after child and would be when a special guardianship order is made in your favour. Several benefits would flow for her being a looked after child.

I am including for your information an advice sheet from our website relating to special guardianship in care proceedings which I believe you will find helpful.

You may wish to speak with one of our experienced advisers by telephoning our free advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

I hope you find this information helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie