how do i apply for a contact order to see my daughter

[mumof32017]

Hi there
I was wondering if u could help me. I have a daughter who lives with her paternal grandparents under the auspices of a special guardianship order. She was removed from my care at birth 10 years ago as I was extremely unwell I won't go into details here. I have 2 older daughters who live with my and I have joint custody with their father(different father to this daughter ) We have not seen my daughter sincentre 2011 as I was too unwell to see her. Since then I have not seen her and haven't been able to contact her as I am not allowed to contact her grandparents and they have been extremely nasty towards me and my family throughout this heart breaking experience.and they have been alienating our whole family from the start. My other children were contacted before Christmas by her through her other sisters (fathers daughters ) and they were talking through social media and they spoke on the phone. I contacted the special guardianship team at my local council asking for advice to arrange contact with her again but they haven't been very helpful and haven't contacted me since. Any way a few weeks ago my daughter contacted her sisters again and a meeting was arranged without my consent and knowledge I later was told by 13 yr old daughter at meeting her paternal grandparents were present and as my eldest daughter is nearly 18 and an adult I didn't make an issue of this was just happy they got see her again. Meeting in local cafe and went very well.
I now need need some advice on how I apply for another contact order so I can have direct contact with her again I have tried looking online but it's a minefield and I am so emotional I just don't know what to do for the best shall I just carry on keeping out of her life and let her see her sisters or shall I fight for her again
I really want to have joint residency with them bit they have been so nasty so far what shall I do for the best. This has effected me and my kids so much and we miss her so much
Thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Mumof32017

Welcome to the Parents’ Discussion Forum.

My name is Suzie, online adviser, at Family Rights Group. I am sorry that you have been having such a difficult time which meant that you could not maintain contact with your daughter.

It is a shame that your relationship with your daughter’s grandparents who have a special guardianship order has broken down. Perhaps they want to ensure that her stability is not affected since you might not be able to maintain contact especially as you have been unable to do so for such a long time.

You could ask children services if they can help to arrange a meeting with the special guardians to see if you can discuss contact and reach an amicable agreement. It must be very upsetting not having any contact at all and, maybe, you could start by asking to send your daughter letters and cards to start with as it will be hard for her as well.

If you are not able to meet with the special guardians then, you will have no alternative but to make an application to the court for a child arrangement order. If you already had an order for contact then you could ask the court to vary that order to change the arrangements for contact. Alternatively, you will be making a new application. In order to do this, you will have to try and arrange family mediation with the special guardians, it does not matter if they refuse, and you just have to show the court that you tried.

As the application for a child arrangement order is a private law matter I suggest that you contact Coram Children Legal Centre (Child Law) 0300 330 5480 for further advice on making the application. Their website is here

I have included a copy of our advice sheet which explains what special guardianship means for birth parents for your information.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie