Ending sgo

[Mumof4]

I met with our support worker again today, I reiterated that I want to end the sgo as I can no longer care for gd, she mentioned about speaking to my children
and extended family, they are not taking me seriously at all the rypp program is a 4-6 week wait I honestly think I'd have gone mad by the then!
Which form us it I need to formally end the sgo in court? I think my only option is to file the paperwork and go from there this has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make but now I've made it it needs to be put in place for both our sakes

[Robin D]

Hi again.

I believe you need to complete a C1 form as at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 2_save.pdf and a FM1 form https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 1_0424.pdf. However, the court office staff will confirm, and if need be assist with completion of the forms. I do not know if a fee is payable, but again, the court office can confirm for you.

I suspect that there may be a hearing where the full reasons will be explored by the court. You might consider a letter to the court laying out your experiences, the problems, and the lack of support from social services, CAHMS etc.

I wish I could help further, and had you had the right support at the right time both you and the child may have been spared this anguish. I really feel for you both.

Best wishes... Robin

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

I met with our support worker again today, I reiterated that I want to end the sgo as I can no longer care for gd, she mentioned about speaking to my children
and extended family, they are not taking me seriously at all the rypp program is a 4-6 week wait I honestly think I'd have gone mad by the then!
Which form us it I need to formally end the sgo in court? I think my only option is to file the paperwork and go from there this has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make but now I've made it it needs to be put in place for both our sakes

Dear Mumof4

Thank you for your post and apologies for the late response although I see you had a response from another poster.

I am sorry that you are still not receiving the help and support you need from children’s services.

To apply to the court to discharge the special guardianship order (SGO), you will need to complete a form C1 which is available on the court service’s website. As you are a special guardian you will not need to seek leave (permission) from the court to apply. There is a fee payable but if you are on a low income or benefits you can apply for fee exemption on form EX160.

I understand that this has been a difficult decision, but you are concerned that the child best interests require you to end the SGO as you are not able to safely parent without the additional support you have requested. It is also important for you to take care of your own health.

You may be able to get further advice from Child Law Advice on .
0300 330 5480. They advise about private family law matters and your application falls under private family law proceedings. If you intend to represent yourself, you may also find it helpful to contact the service Support through Court on 0300 081 0006

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes

Suzie

[Mummabear]

Hi I am looking for advice on the same topic. I have had an ago for my niece since she was 6, over the years mum has made things very difficult and when I have asked for support I haven't got it. Recently my niece did not like a consequence due to her behavior so she followed in her friends footsteps and decided not to come home. Police refused to get involved and it took almost a week for social services to get involved. I am now at my wits end and want to terminate my sgo but social services have basically told me if I do not take her back I could be looking at neglect charges. Can anyone advise me on where I stand with this please as it has been 7 weeks since she walked out and the situation is still the same waiting to find out what social services are going to do.

[Robin D]

Let's put to bed the nonsense. You cannot be prosecuted for neglect if Children's Services are aware and involved. It's most unprofessional of them and is an attempt to get you to reconsider as they do not want the responsibility of another difficult young person.

If the proper support was put in before it's too late, a lot of these painful and difficult situations could be avoided.

If she has run once and did not return voluntarily, it will happen again and again put her at risk of all sorts of problems.

Stick to your guns. I hope this can be resolved.

Best wishes... Robin

[Mummabear]

Thank you for your reply, I thought that the social worker was just trying to scare me so they don't have to deal with it and you have confirmed this for me. They have offered lots of support now but I told them it's too little too late this has got right out of control and there is no coming back from this. As hard as it was to make this decision I am sticking to my guns because this is now having a major impact on my health

[Mumof4]

I've given this one last chance, met the rypp lady who seemed lovely...she's met with me twice and gd twice and is now off sick apparently there are no other rypp workers currently available, I understand people can't help being sick but considering this really is the last chance social services have no sense of urgency nor do they appear to care!
Gd has yet again upped her violence I've been ringing support worker, kinship team and social services every day but no one is available I'm beginning to think that just packing gd belongings and depositing her on social services doorstep is my only option at this point!

[Robin D]

As an alternative, and you may already have answered this earlier, but do you have anyone in or around the family who might take her in, either as a respite step, or on a permanent basis? I'm guessing answer is no, but it's still worth asking?

Our violent ADHD teenager 'grandson', (Child of a long-term foster child we had) who we had brought up from two, went to the headteacher of his special school after he had been excluded from four different mainstream schools, and said he wanted to go into care. It came as a shock for us to get the call from a social worker asking us to put him into voluntary care, but equally, the police had been called about a dozen times or more, and he had hospitalised me on one occasion and given my wife more than one black eye as well as other bruises out of plain sight! He went for breaks to other family members and on each occasion his behaviour improved for a while thereafter. It still eventually reverted to type. CAHMS were next to useless even after his diagnosis. Unfortunately the police had previously told us formally that they would no longer attend unless we were prepared to prosecute! Equally we were not prepared to give a 14 year-old a criminal record, although he has since done so by his own actions. Sadly, the Local authority then failed him, and failed him. Five lots of foster parents, including a set of professional career foster parents could not cope with his behaviour. He was then is 'shared accommodation, with three other lads and 24 hour support workers including overnight that ended with an explosion between the lads and at 16 he was in a poor quality 'hotel' room in a local emergency housing 'hotel'!

He is now in his late 20's, and while perhaps we disagree on some points of his lifestyle, he is working hard and is pleasant to be with and helpful if asked. He now shows much less violent tendencies even when angry. We live in hope that he really has turned that corner.

None of the above may help, but please think whether there is anyone outside the social services field who may be able to help.

[Mummabear]

Sorry to hear that you have been through so much. Unfortunately we have already looked into other family members and we have come to a dead end. It has been an extremely hard decision to make but unfortunately it is our only option. I have had to take early retirement from work due to poor health and the stresses and strains have not helped the situation, we also have an 11 year old of our own and this has had a major impact on them. Us much as it pains me to do this I have no choice, I have to think about my health and my immediate family.

[Robin D]

Hi again.

I wasn't being critical at all. I know how tough it is to deal with understand that. It's just a shame that the LA have prevaricated so much.

Hopefully they are now taking you seriously and making proper plans for a transition of care.

Please keep us posted on progress on setting aside the SGO. That will help those that are unfortunate enough to need to follow the same path.

Best wshes ... Robin