Understanding special guardianship and child arrangements orders

When determining a child’s long-term living arrangements, practitioners must carefully consider the range of orders available and their practical implications.

This webinar examines two of the most commonly used options – Special Guardianship Orders and Child Arrangements Orders. It will explore how these orders operate, their key similarities and differences, and the factors that may make one more appropriate than the other in a particular case.

The webinar will also consider the legal tests for varying, revoking and discharging these orders, together with the available options for enforcing Child Arrangements Orders.

Topics covered include:

• Child arrangements orders – How do they operate?
• Enforcement of child arrangements orders – What options are available?
• Enforcement under the child focused courts/ pathfinder pilots
• Alienating behaviour cases and enforcement – consideration of the Family Justice Council Guidance
• Special guardianship Orders – practical effect of these orders
• Consideration of both orders – effect of MGP and M [2025] EWFC 402 (B)
• Care orders and SG orders – consideration of Re F and G (discharge of special guardianship order) 2021 EWCA Civ 622
• Special guardianship regulations – position in England Wales
• Assessments and provision of support
• Discharge of special guardianship orders
• Effect of public law working group – recommendations to achieve best practice in the child protection and family justice systems: special guardianship orders