Urgent question regarding SGO

[sunbeam]

Hi,

I'm new to the site. I would just like to find out the procedure of a SGO from a birth parents perspective.

One of my children lives with my mother in a different part of the country, this was a private arrangement until it all went sour due to her lies.

Now my mother has put in an application for a SGO. In the letter i have been sent it states that the court will expect a range of information from me and they also need the opinion of my other children. How does a social worker that lives miles away gain this information from me? I am not happy about having a social worker coming into my home to request all this private information and speak to my other children. My mother informed me before i received the letter that all i needed to do was sign forms, obviously the letter states otherwise. But as my mother lies about everything i should have known she was also lying about this!

Any advice gratefully received.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Sunbeam

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. My name is Suzie, one of FRG’s online advisers.

I am sorry to hear that you are finding the current Children’s Services involvement distressing, at what is already a difficult time for you.

In brief, whenever an applicant wishes to apply for a special guardian order, they are required to provide three months’ written notice to the Local Authority so sufficient time can be factored in to consult with parents (anyone else with parental responsibility) and significant others (including siblings) in the child’s life.

Furthermore, in order to assess the applicant’s suitability, the independent social work assessor will visit prospective carers, obtain the wishes and feelings of children and consider important issues such as how current and future contact would be managed prior to the matter being heard in court.

Whilst it is understandable you are anxious about the forthcoming visit, the consultation process should be seen as an opportunity for you to share your views in an open and honest manner. Your ability to engage in this process from your child's view point will be carefully considered so it will be important that you are mindful that any responses you do make demonstrate your ability to be as child focussed as possible. This way, the assessor can obtain a holistic view of your current family circumstances, in order to decide what is in your child’s best interests.

At the end of the assessment, they will need to make a recommendation about what, if any permanency plan would be best for your child and whether or not they are in support of the special guardian’s application. They will also form a view about how the placement has been meeting your child's needs to date including the special guardian's ability to work with parents and professionals that may already be involved.

Should you wish to speak to an adviser about any further queries you may have, you may find it useful to contact our advice line on 0808 801 0366 Monday to Friday 09.30 to 03.00 pm or refer to our advice sheet on special guardianship for birth parents’.

I hope this helps.


Best Wishes

Suzie