How is a kinship care assessment carried out?

A kinship care assessment is carried out by a social worker or other suitably qualified assessor on behalf of the local authority. Its purpose is to establish whether a relative or another connected person can provide safe, stable and suitable care, and what support or legal arrangements are needed for the child.

The process depends on how the arrangement has arisen. A local authority will follow a different route where a child is already looked after, where the child is at risk of entering care, or where family members have made a private arrangement. The assessor should explain which type of assessment applies, what information is required and how the findings will be used.

1. The referral and initial discussion

The process normally begins when children’s services identify a possible kinship carer. This may happen after a safeguarding referral, during care proceedings, when a child cannot remain with their parents, or when an existing family arrangement needs formal support.

The social worker will usually speak with you about:

• your relationship with the child and the child’s parents;
• why you are considering caring for the child;
• the child’s immediate needs and any risks that have been identified;
• your understanding of the child’s experiences, behaviour and relationships; and
• the practical changes that caring for the child could require.

This first stage is often called a viability assessment or initial assessment. It is not a final decision about your long-term suitability. It is an early consideration of whether it is appropriate to explore the arrangement in more detail.

2. The initial viability assessment

The assessor will consider whether there are any immediate safeguarding concerns or circumstances that would prevent the arrangement from being explored. They may ask about previous involvement with social services, criminal convictions, past relationships, health, housing and your ability to work constructively with professionals and the child’s parents.

Honesty is important. A previous difficulty does not automatically mean that you cannot be assessed, but information that is withheld may affect confidence in the assessment. The assessor should consider the relevance, seriousness and context of any concern rather than relying only on the existence of a record or past event.

The child’s views and welfare remain central. The assessment will consider whether the proposed arrangement meets the child’s needs, including their emotional security, education, health, identity, cultural background, relationships and need for continuity.

At the end of this stage, the local authority may recommend moving to a full assessment, seek further information, identify safeguards that must be put in place, or decide that the proposed arrangement cannot proceed. If the outcome is negative, ask for the reasons in writing and what other options have been considered for the child.

3. The full assessment

A full assessment is more detailed and normally involves a written report. It examines not only whether you can meet the child’s day-to-day needs, but also whether the arrangement is likely to remain safe and workable over time.

Topics commonly explored include:

• your childhood, family history and significant relationships;
• your parenting experience and understanding of the child’s behaviour;
• your physical and emotional health, including any support needs;
• your employment, income, benefits, childcare and other commitments;
• the suitability and stability of your accommodation;
• how other household members feel about the arrangement;
• your ability to manage boundaries, routines and challenging behaviour;
• how the child’s contact with parents and other relatives could be managed; and
• the support available from family, friends, schools, health services and the local authority.

Where you have a partner, both of you will normally be involved. Other adults living in the household may also need to provide information and undergo relevant checks. The assessor may speak to people who know you well, subject to the appropriate consent and assessment requirements.

4. Checks and supporting evidence

The local authority will gather evidence to verify the information in the assessment. This can include identity documents, references, health information, police checks and checks relating to other adults in the household. The exact requirements depend on the legal route and the local authority’s procedures.

You may be asked to provide information about your accommodation, finances, employment and existing responsibilities. The purpose is not to expect a perfect household. It is to understand what resources are available, what pressures may arise and whether practical support or safeguards are needed.

A medical assessment may help identify whether your health affects your ability to care for the child. If a health condition is disclosed, the relevant question is usually how it can be managed and what arrangements would protect continuity of care.

5. Training and preparation

Prospective kinship carers may be offered or expected to complete training before a final decision. This can cover safeguarding, trauma and loss, attachment, managing behaviour, safer caring, communication with parents, recording information and the effect of kinship care on the wider family.

Training is also an opportunity to identify gaps in knowledge. You should be able to ask practical questions about routines, education, health appointments, contact, delegated authority and the support available after the child moves in.

6. The assessment report and decision

The assessor brings the information together in a report, including strengths, concerns, the child’s needs, your capacity to meet them and any recommended safeguards or support. You should have an opportunity to check factual accuracy and raise significant points before the report is considered.

The decision-maker depends on the arrangement. If the child is looked after and you are being considered as a kinship foster carer, the application may be considered through the fostering approval process, which can include a fostering panel. If a child arrangements order, special guardianship order or another legal route is being considered, the court will use the relevant assessment and evidence when making its decision.

Approval or a positive recommendation may include conditions, such as support with contact, additional training, adaptations to the home or a plan for managing particular risks. A negative recommendation should explain the evidence behind it and the options for challenging or reviewing the decision.

How long does a kinship care assessment take?

There is no single timescale for every assessment. The length depends on the child’s circumstances, the legal route, the urgency of the placement, the availability of information and whether further checks or specialist advice are needed. An initial viability assessment is usually shorter than a full assessment, but a full assessment may continue after a child has been placed if an urgent arrangement is required.

Ask the social worker for a written timetable showing the expected stages, outstanding information, decision date and who to contact if the plan changes. Delays should be explained, particularly where they affect the child’s placement or a court timetable.

How to prepare

• Keep a record of questions, appointments and documents requested.
• Think carefully about the child’s routines, education, health, relationships and possible triggers.
• Discuss boundaries and practical responsibilities with everyone in your household.
• Identify people who could provide reliable practical or emotional support.
• Be open about health, finances, convictions and previous difficulties.
• Ask how contact with the child’s parents will be arranged and who can make important decisions.
• Find out which legal status is being considered and how it affects financial help, decision-making and ongoing support.

An assessment should result in more than a decision about suitability. It should also clarify what the child needs, what you will be responsible for, what support must be provided and which legal arrangement best protects the child’s welfare.