Ending a SGO

[Robin D]

If can do it on an agreed trial basis, then it's just a case of putting to the court as a position agreed between parties, so the court just rubber stamp the decision to deal with the formal legal position. Certainly under current restrictions, it's likely to be all done remotely with perhaps a video call, but it may not need a hearing at all. If the judge is persuaded by the written evidence, there may not be a physical hearing. A bit like not having to attend court for agreed divorce hearings. They just get listed and dealt with within the court process.

I suggest writing down a plan that you and your daughter agree and sending a copy to the local authority (signed for). Check and print the proof of delivery, and clip it to a copy of the plan. Keep it somewhere safe just in case.

It gives the LA the opportunity to consider if they are happy.

The plan can be very simple. For example.

Step 1: Children will continue to spend every weekend with mother.
Step 2: Children spend half term with mother.
Step 3: Children move permanently to mum during the summer holidays.
Step 4: Review of the situation between the parties with assistance if need by by the local authority.
Step 4. End of October, application to court to revoke the SGO.

Conditions:
- Children will continue to have regular contact with you face to face or by phone daily, weekly or whatever you want. You might want to agree to having all the children after school, or provide some other regular support for example.
- Children will stay with you on whatever frequency you can agree.
- If the children are showing signs of distress then the situation can be reviewed at any point. Your primary concern is the welfare of the children.
- The school(s) really need to be involved even though they are not currently in school. It might help to have the support for the plan by the head(s).

Good luck. Emotionally its very draining as we know. If you can avoid a contested contested court hearing, that should make life a lot easier for everyone.

Robin