Can I apply to be a special guardian?

The special guardian must be aged over 18 years and must not be a parent of the child.

It is possible to apply for a special guardianship order if you:

• You are a local authority foster carer whom the child has lived with for a period of one year directly before the application, or
• You have had the child live with you for three of the last five years, or
• You are the guardian of the child, or
• You have leave of the court (permission from the court), or
• If child is in care of local authority and the local authority consent to you making an application, or
• You have a residence order in respect of the child or you have permission from whoever does have the residence order, or
• You have permission from all those with parental responsibility for the child.