Children’s Court Guardians
A Children’s Court Guardian (Guardian) is appointed by the court to represent children in public family law and adoption proceedings currently under The Children (NI) Order 1995 and The Adoption (NI) Order 1987 which will be integrated under The Adoption and Children (NI) Order 2022. When a Trust makes an application for a public law order the court appoints a Guardian to represent the child or young person for the duration of the court proceedings.
Guardians are employed by the Agency which is funded by the Department of Health. The role of the Guardian is prescribed in legislation and the Agency has responsibility for the management and professional accountability of Guardians.