surviving child(ren)

If there is no surviving parent with "parental responsibility" and no appointment of a guardian has been made, then the child(ren) becomes the responsibility of the Court.
Until such time as the Court appoints a guardian, the child(ren) may be taken into care.
If the parent or parents have appointed a guardian, then responsibility for the child(ren)s care passes on the second parent's death to that guardian.
In most cases, the guardian is likely to be a person known to the child(ren) or someone who has been living with the child(ren) (e.g., a step-parent).
The guardian's role ends when the child(ren) reaches 18 years old. In exceptional circumstances, the guardian can be removed by the Court.
A Guardian's Allowance is available to help with the cost of bringing up a child(ren) because one or both of the parents have died.