Lifelong Guardianship Ceremonies
For many care-experienced adults, a foster carer, mentor, teacher, family friend, faith community member, or another important person has provided the love, encouragement and support that helped them thrive. A Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony offers an opportunity to publicly recognise and celebrate those enduring bonds.
Developed by Home for Good alongside care-experienced adults, faith leaders, and partners across the children’s social care sector, the Lifelong Guardianship Ceremonies Framework provides a way to honour relationships that are built on commitment, belonging and mutual care.
As a faith tradition that values inclusivity and community, Unitarians are proud to support this new initiative. Indeed, a Unitarian minister, Michael Allured, helped shape the development of the framework, and the Home for Good website includes an example of a Unitarian ceremony.
What is a Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony?
A Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony is a meaningful occasion in which a care-experienced adult and the people who have offered enduring support can gather with family, friends and community members to affirm their relationship.
The ceremony may include:
- Sharing the story of the relationship
- Personal reflections and readings
- Words of gratitude and commitment
- Music, prayer or quiet reflection
- Symbolic acts such as lighting a candle, exchanging letters, planting a tree or signing a keepsake certificate
- Community promises of support and encouragement
Every ceremony is unique. It can be spiritual, secular, or somewhere in between, and can be tailored to reflect the beliefs, values and personalities of those involved.
A ceremony created around you
Just like all Unitarian ceremonies, there is no prescribed format.
Our ministers will listen carefully to your story and work with you to create a ceremony that feels authentic and meaningful to you. Whether held in one of our beautiful chapels, another community venue, or an outdoor setting that holds special significance, you can mark this important moment in a way that reflects your wishes.
What a Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony is not
A Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony is symbolic rather than legal. It does not create legal guardianship, parental responsibility, legal rights or obligations. Instead, it provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate a relationship that already exists and is valued by those involved.
Participation is always voluntary, and ceremonies should only take place where everyone involved freely chooses to take part. Safeguarding, informed consent and respect for personal circumstances are central to the framework.
Find out more
You can find out more about Lifelong Guardianship Ceremonies and how they work on the government’s website.
If you are a care-experienced adult, a foster family, a mentor, or someone supporting a young person leaving care, and would like to explore a Lifelong Guardianship Ceremony, speak to a Unitarian minister today to discuss creating a ceremony that celebrates a relationship of lifelong care, belonging and support.