Section 14D — Children Act 1989: Special guardianship orders: variation and discharge

Special guardianship orders: variation and discharge 14D 1 The court may vary or discharge a special guardianship order on the application of—

a the special guardian (or any of them, if there are more than one);

b any parent or guardian of the child concerned;

c any individual who is named in a child arrangements order as a person with whom the child is to live;

d any individual not falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) who has, or immediately before the making of the special guardianship order had, parental responsibility for the child;

e the child himself; or f a local authority designated in a care order with respect to the child.

2 In any family proceedings in which a question arises with respect to the welfare of a child with respect to whom a special guardianship order is in force, the court may also vary or discharge the special guardianship order if it considers that the order should be varied or discharged, even though no application has been made under subsection (1).

3 The following must obtain the leave of the court before making an application under subsection (1)—

a the child;

b any parent or guardian of his;

c any step-parent of his who has acquired, and has not lost, parental responsibility for him by virtue of section 4A;

d any individual falling within subsection (1)(d) who immediately before the making of the special guardianship order had, but no longer has, parental responsibility for him.

4 Where the person applying for leave to make an application under subsection (1) is the child, the court may only grant leave if it is satisfied that he has sufficient understanding to make the proposed application under subsection (1).

5 The court may not grant leave to a person falling within subsection (3)(b)(c) or (d) unless it is satisfied that there has been a significant change in circumstances since the making of the special guardianship order.