How long does becoming a kinship carer usually take?

The timescale for becoming a kinship carer depends on the arrangement being considered and whether the child needs to move into your care immediately. A local authority may first complete an initial viability assessment, followed by a fuller assessment of your ability to care for the child. If a court order or formal fostering approval is needed, the process may continue for longer while reports, checks and legal decisions are completed.

The first stage: understanding the proposed arrangement

A social worker will usually clarify the child’s circumstances, your relationship with them and the type of kinship care being considered. This may include an informal family arrangement, approval as a connected-person foster carer, a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order. Each route has different assessment requirements and provides different levels of legal responsibility, decision-making authority and financial support.

The social worker should explain whether the child is being treated as a looked-after child, whether the local authority needs to approve you as a foster carer and whether an application to the family court is likely. Establishing this early helps give you a more realistic understanding of the process.

Initial viability assessment

When a child may need to live with a relative or another connected person, the local authority may carry out an initial viability assessment. This is a short assessment used to identify whether the proposed arrangement appears suitable enough to explore further. It commonly considers:

• your relationship with the child and your understanding of their needs;
• your health, household and accommodation;
• any relevant safeguarding or criminal-record information;
• the views and circumstances of the child’s parents;
• the child’s wishes and feelings, where appropriate; and
• the practical support available to you.

This assessment may need to be completed quickly if the child cannot safely remain where they are. A positive initial assessment does not automatically mean that you will be approved. It normally leads to more detailed checks and assessment work.

Temporary arrangements and full assessment

If the child is already in the care of the local authority and needs to live with you, the authority may consider temporary approval as a connected-person foster carer. This allows the child to be placed with someone known to them while the full assessment is completed. The approval is subject to statutory limits, so the local authority must progress the assessment and decide what longer-term arrangement is appropriate.

A full assessment is more detailed than the initial viability assessment. It may involve several meetings with you and other members of your household, home visits, references, health information, safeguarding checks and discussions about the child’s history and behaviour. The social worker will also consider how you would manage contact with the child’s parents, education, health appointments, identity and any additional needs.

Training may take place during the assessment rather than after it. You may be asked to complete preparation on safeguarding, attachment, trauma, behaviour, safer caring and working with birth family members. Completing training does not replace the assessment, but it can help you understand the responsibilities involved and identify areas where further support may be needed.

When a court order is involved

If the proposed arrangement is intended to continue under a special guardianship order or another court order, the timetable will also depend on the legal process. The local authority may need to prepare an assessment report for the court, and the court will consider the child’s welfare, relationships and long-term needs. The prospective carer must usually follow formal notification and report requirements before an application is made, although there are exceptions in some circumstances.

A court timetable can be affected by the number of issues that need to be considered, whether other family members want to be involved and whether the child’s parents agree with the proposed arrangement. A disagreement does not necessarily prevent kinship care, but it can mean that further evidence, legal advice or a court decision is required.

Common reasons the process takes longer

• checks or references are incomplete or need clarification;
• there are health, housing or household issues that require further information;
• the child has complex emotional, behavioural, educational or medical needs;
• the local authority is considering more than one possible carer;
• contact arrangements with parents or other relatives are disputed;
• the proposed carer or child is moving between local authority areas; or
• a court needs to make decisions about residence, parental responsibility or long-term care.

Some parts of the process can happen at the same time. For example, household checks, discussions with the child and preparation for training may run alongside legal planning. Other steps cannot be completed until earlier information is available, so an apparent pause does not always mean that the assessment has stopped.

How to keep track of progress

Ask the social worker to explain which assessment stage you are at, what information is still outstanding and what decision will be made next. It is reasonable to ask who is responsible for each part of the process and when you should expect the next review or meeting. Keep copies of important documents and make a note of questions about contact, financial support, education, health care and legal responsibility.

If the child is already living with you, ask what approval or legal authority currently applies and what will happen if the assessment is not completed within the relevant statutory period. You should also be told about support available during the assessment, including practical help, training, respite options and advice about the child’s changing needs.

The final decision should be based on the child’s welfare and your ability to provide safe, stable care, rather than on speed alone. A local authority or family law adviser can explain the specific timetable for your circumstances. Become a Foster Family can also provide general guidance to people exploring care responsibilities and help you understand which questions to raise with the relevant local authority or fostering team.