WHO HAS PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY (PR)?
WHO CAN MAKE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD?
CAN THE CHILD BE REMOVED FROM MY CARE?
CAN I TAKE THE CHILD OUT OF THE UK?
CAN I APPOINT A GUARDIAN?
CAN THE ORDER BE REVOKED?
AM I ENTITLED TO SUPPORT?
INFORMAL ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDING PRIVATE FOSTERING
CHILDREN ON EMERGENCY PROTECTION ORDERS (EPOs) AND CARE ORDERS (COs)
CHILDREN ACCOMMODATEDBY THE LOCAL AUTHORITY
RESIDENCE ORDER (RO) AND CHILD ARRANGEMENTS ORDER (CAO)
SPECIAL GUARDIANSHIP ORDER (SGO)
ADOPTION
GUARDIANSHIP
Mothers, fathers/anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with the parents
Local Authority (LA), Mothers, fathers/anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with the parents
Mothers, fathers/anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with the parents
Person with RO/CAO,
Mothers, fathers/anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with the parents
Person with SGO who can exercise PR to exclusion of anyone else with PR
Mothers, fathers/anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with the parents.
Adopters and anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with the adoptive Parents
Guardians (and anyone else who has acquired PR by court order)
Carer can make day to day decisions about the child's care but only those with PR can make important decisions eg: consent to medical treatment, leaving the UK etc.
Carer can make day to day decisions about the child's care with LA, but LA makes all important decisions about child in consultation with parents or carers
Carer can make day to day decisions about the child's care in consultation with LA, but on those with PR can consent to medical treatment, leaving the UK etc
Person with RO/CAO can make decisions without having to consult others with PR (although should for important decisions) but some restrictions: name change, consent to adoption/adoption placement, change of religion.
Person with SGO who has right to exercise PR to the exculsion of anyone else with PR, but some restrictions: name change, consent to adoption or adoption placement, change of religion.
Adoptive parents and anyone else who has acquired PR by court order or agreement with adoptive parents.
Guardians
Yes by person with PR
Yes by LA
Yes by person with PR
No unless RO/CAO revoked or LA has EPO or CO
No unless SGO revoked or LA has EPO or CO
No unless LA has EPO or CO
No unless LA has EPO or CO
Only with consent of all those with PR, or leave of court
Only with consent of LA for up to one month unless court gives leave
For up to one month, otherwise consent of all those with PR or leave of court is required
Only with consent of all those with PR or leave of court
For up to three months otherwise consent of all those with PR or leave of court is required.
Yes
Yes but consent of anyone else with PR is required
Parents/guardians with PR can appoint a guardian - see rules for when appointment takes effect
Parents/guardians with PR can appoint a guardian - see rules for when appointment takes effect
Parents/guardians with PR can appoint a guardian - see rules for when appointment takes effect
Parents/guardians with PR can appoint a guardian - see rules for when appointment takes effect in RO/CAO cases
SGO holders can appoint a guardian - see rules to when appointment takes effect in SG cases
Adoptive parents/guardians with PR can appoint a guardian - see rules for when appointment takes effect
Parents/guardians with PR can appoint a guardian - see rules for when appointment takes effect
N/A
Yes on application to the court
N/A
Yes - parents and others with PR have a right to apply to revoke the order
Yes but parents need Leave to apply to revoke the order - only granted if there is significant change of circumstance
No - it is irrevocable
Yes by court order
Discretionary support under Section 17 subject to assessment
fostering allwance payable to LA foster carers
Fostering allowance payable to LA foster carers
Discretionary support under Section 17 and residence order allowance (ROA)/child arrangements order allowance (CAOA) subject to assessment
Discretionary support under SG support services, subject to assessment - entitlement to assessment for SGs child and parents
Discretionary support under adoption support services, subject to assessment - entitlement to assessment for adopters, child and birth parents
Discretionary support under Section 17 subject to assessment.
A Comparison of Different Legal Options Courtesy of Family Rights Group
Below are a couple of links relating to SGO which may prove useful if you hold, going through, or thinking of an SGO.