Special Guardianship
Expert Witness Reports
Independent expert witness evidence for family proceedings under the Children Act 1989, prepared in compliance with FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B.
Expert evidence for
special guardianship order assessments.
Our chambers prepares independent special guardianship order assessments for family courts under the Children Act 1989, addressing the suitability of proposed guardians and the welfare needs of the child.
These reports are commissioned under FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B, ensuring compliance with the court’s overriding objective to determine the child’s best interests. Our experts hold GMC Specialist Register or HCPC registration and provide evidence that withstands judicial scrutiny.
Key stages in family proceedings
requiring expert evidence.
Pre-proceedings assessment
Our chambers accepts instructions at the pre-proceedings stage to provide an early special guardianship assessment, supporting local authority decision-making and care planning under the Public Law Outline.
Interim care orders
Where the court requires expert evidence to inform interim care orders, our reports address the child’s welfare needs and the proposed guardian’s capacity to meet them, in line with Re B-S principles.
Final hearing
The special guardianship order assessment is filed as expert evidence for the final hearing, providing the court with an independent opinion on the child’s long-term welfare under the proposed arrangement.
What the SGO report contains,
section by section.
Expert qualifications & instruction
GMC or HCPC registration, Specialist Register entry, and the expert’s experience in child and family proceedings. The instructing party, the questions posed, and the documents reviewed are listed for transparency.
Child’s background & needs
Developmental history, attachment patterns, educational needs, and any previous trauma or safeguarding concerns. This section establishes the child’s welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989.
Guardian’s capacity
Assessment of the proposed guardian’s parenting skills, emotional resilience, and ability to meet the child’s long-term needs. Includes observations from home visits and standardised tools where indicated.
Family & environmental factors
Analysis of the wider family network, cultural considerations, and the proposed living arrangements. This section addresses the child’s need for stability and continuity under the special guardianship order.
Risk assessment
Identification of any risks to the child’s welfare, including safeguarding concerns, and the guardian’s ability to mitigate them. This informs the court’s decision on support services or conditions attached to the order.
Recommendations
Clear, evidence-based recommendations on whether the special guardianship order is in the child’s best interests, including any support services required to ensure the arrangement’s success.
Declaration of compliance
The expert’s declaration of independence and compliance with FPR Part 25, signed statement of truth, and acknowledgement of the duty to the court under CPR 35.3.
How the assessment
is conducted.
Our members follow a structured, evidence-based methodology to ensure the special guardianship assessment meets the court’s requirements under FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B.
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01
Records review
Comprehensive review of social care, medical, educational, and court records to establish the child’s history and the proposed guardian’s background. Material entries are referenced in the report.
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02
Clinical interviews
Structured interviews with the child, proposed guardian, and relevant family members. Trauma-informed techniques are used where the child has experienced abuse or neglect.
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03
Home visits
Observation of the proposed living arrangements, including the child’s interaction with the guardian and the home environment’s suitability for the child’s needs.
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04
Standardised tools
Where clinically indicated, tools such as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) or attachment measures are used to support the assessment of the child’s welfare needs.
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05
Formulation & opinion
The clinical formulation links the child’s needs, the guardian’s capacity, and the proposed arrangement, leading to the expert’s reasoned opinion on the special guardianship order’s suitability.
Family proceedings where
SGO reports are required.
Our chambers provides special guardianship order assessments for all stages of family proceedings under the Children Act 1989, including public and private law cases.
Questions from
solicitors we work with.
What is the typical turnaround for a special guardianship order assessment?
6–8 weeks from instruction. Our chambers prioritises court deadlines and coordinates with instructing solicitors to ensure the report is filed in line with directions orders. Expedited assessments are available for urgent cases.
Do your experts comply with FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B?
Yes. All reports are prepared in strict compliance with FPR Part 25 and Practice Direction 25B, including the expert’s declaration of independence and duty to the court under CPR 35.3.
Can the same expert assess both the child and the proposed guardian?
Yes. Our members are qualified to assess both the child’s welfare needs and the proposed guardian’s capacity, provided there is no conflict of interest. Separate experts are instructed where required by the court.
Are home visits included in the assessment process?
Yes. Home visits are a standard part of the assessment to observe the proposed living arrangements and the child’s interaction with the guardian. Travel costs are agreed in advance.
Will the expert attend court if required?
Yes. Our experts are available to attend court, either in person or via secure video link, to give oral evidence and respond to judicial questioning under FPR Part 25.
Can the report be used in both public and private law proceedings?
Yes. The special guardianship assessment is prepared to meet the requirements of both public law proceedings (e.g., care orders) and private law disputes (e.g., residence disputes).
Need a special guardianship
order assessment for your case?
Send a brief case summary — child’s age, proposed guardian, procedural stage, and any court deadlines — and our chambers will confirm availability and timescales within one working day.