Q. What difference does a care order make to me?

Q. What is a Children's Guardian, and what is their role?

Q. How long does the care order last?

Q. What difference does a Care Order make to me?

A. Being on a Care Order means that Social Services, rather than your parents, have the job of looking after you and making the decisions about what should happen e.g.: where you live, who you should see etc. This is because a Care Order gives Social Services Parental Responsibility for you (see Parental Responsibility section) , although they should still consult your parent(s) about important things. They should always talk to you and find out how you feel too.

Q. What is a Children's Guardian, and what is their role?

A. Since April 2001 Guardians Ad Litem have been called Children's Guardians. A Children's Guardian is an independent person appointed by the Court to represent your interests during the court proceedings. They will appoint a solicitor to speak for you in court and will be involved with you during the Court case.

The Children's Guardian will no longer be involved when the court proceedings have finished. See Care plan

Q. How long does the Care Order last?

A. Until you are eighteen years old, unless someone asks the court to discharge the Care Order before then.