Duration of special guardianship orders

A special guardianship order (SGO) will continue until the child attains the age of 18 unless it is discharged sooner by an order of the court.

An SGO cannot be made for a specified period in the way that a child arrangements order (CAO) can; it can, however, contain provisions which are to have effect for a specified period of time.

Variation and discharge of special guardianship orders

An SGO may be varied or discharged before the child is 18 either on an application by those categories of applicant specified or on the court's own motion. Some applicants will require leave of the court to make the application.

An application to vary or discharge an SGO may be made by:

1. •

   the special guardian (or any of them, if there are more than one)

2. •

   any parent or guardian

3. •

   any individual who is named in a CAO as a person with whom the child is to live

4. •

   anyone who does not come into the above categories who has,