Do legal guardians have to undergo adoption checks?

[ArtichokeTagine]

I've been asked to be legal guardian to the new son of my friend who is a single mum. Obviously it is unlikely anything would ever happen to her but she does have a (non-life threatening) chronic health condition and she is on her own so I want to think things through carefully before saying yes (or no).

Does anyone know whether a named legal guardian just inherits the child or would they be subject to checks and the same drawn out process that adopters go through? And if it is a long process where is the child placed in the interim?

Sorry if this is the wrong board. I just though you guys might know.

[Velvet1973]

I don't know for certain but I would assume not, they would do for special guardianship but that's when the child us subject to care proceedings. Otherwise I assume it would just be straightforward for legal guardian.

[Kewcumber]

This has pretty good info www.countrywidegroup.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=1180

Social services have ultimate control over who cares for a minor but will generally try to follow parents wishes. I haven't heard of guardians being vetted by SS but it might be insisted on if they have any cause for concern I guess.

[ArtichokeTagine]

Thanks all and thanks especially got that link Kew. It's a hard one as I want to support my friend but taking on a bereaved child would be a huge challenge for both my husband and I and are existing children. At least it doesn't sound like we would have months of interviews and paperwork.

[Kewcumber]

it doesn't seem so Artichoke