Topic: Becoming a special guardian

Why become a special guardian?

When you become a special guardian, life changes for everyone involved. It helps to be aware of the common benefits and challenges of guardianship. You can then decide if it’s right for you and the child you care about.

Change a child’s life

Children who can no longer live with their birth parents will have experienced a significant amount of trauma. Providing an alternative long-term home and a caring environment gives them a chance to grow and reach their potential.

Your existing ties to the child or their family put you in a unique position. It may help you support them to move forwards while keeping that connection to their identity. Research shows that children raised by special guardians tend to have better life outcomes than children raised in the care system. ↗

Demanding, but rewarding

Becoming a special guardian involves welcoming a child into your home, family and everyday life. It comes with all of the joys and challenges of raising a child. You also have the extra job of helping them to heal and get used to such a big change. Many guardians and professionals call it ‘parenting with extras’. 

Taking on long-term responsibility of caring for another person’s child is often a huge change to your daily life and future plans. However, many people see it as an opportunity to give a child they care about the stability they need.

Special guardianship will challenge you to learn new skills. But many guardians say this makes it all the more rewarding when they see their efforts pay off and the children succeed.

A special guardianship order gives you responsibility for the child's daily life. You don’t need permission from the council or birth parents. It’s an opportunity to have a positive influence on both their present and future.

Recognition and support

The idea of special guardianship is relatively new in legal terms. That means the wider public aren’t as aware of what it means and what support is available as they are with adoption and fostering.

This has started to change. In the UK, there are now more children placed in guardianships each year than are adopted. National campaigns are increasing awareness and understanding of the role and available support.

Contact our team

In Buckinghamshire, we continue to invest in and improve the support we offer to special guardians and the children they care for.

Our services include:

• dedicated, free support from experienced professionals

• online support and guidance through this website

• tailored support and training packages

• in-person and online groups that bring special guardians together

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us be emailing or phoning our advice line.