Family Rights Group | Kinship carers’ Forum

Hi. I'm currently in the process of fostering my great nephew who is 1 years old has complex care needs. Our full assessment was completed yesterday and we were told at 2pm that we were receiving a negative recommendation of the social worker. We were then sent the assessment via email at 5pm and the SW requested that we check for spelling mistakes and sign it and send it back to her the following day(today) as our panel is on Tuesday(6 days away). Upon reading the assessment we have discovered many inaccuracies, false comments the SW claims we made along with numerous things missing. We do not feel comfortable signing this as we don't believe it is a true representation of our thoughts and comments however the SW has already phoned us today at 9.30am asking us to hurry up and send it back. I would like to know where we stand with this. Do we sign it and send it back to her then explain our concerns at panel or by signing it are we agreeing to what is in there? Can we appeal it or maybe send it back unsigned explaining that we do not agree with it's contents and maybe include a list of things that are incorrect and what truly happened? I'm aware there are very tight time constraints but I feel we have been treated unfairly. It has been made clear that the current foster carer wants to keep the child as she has told us in front of the SW numerous times that she wants to adopt him whilst kissing him and telling him she loves him. Any help on the correct way to handle this would be appreciated.

I suggest you either do not sign it, or sign it but endorse it with the hard written comment that you have read the assessment but disagree with it's fairness and accuracy and will be challenging it.

I would then spend a few hours going through it and write a pseudo statement that picks out all the points you disagree with and why. Include any missing information.Write that all out and forward that to the social worker, copying in the Head of Children's Services at the LA. (Details on their website).

Keep it factual and avoid denigrating the SW. Phrases like I think (name) may have misheard or misunderstood, or I do not recollect being asked about x, but if I was, that was not my answer can be very helpful. You are not looking for a fight or to put down the assessor, rather that things have been used out of context, or misunderstood.

You should then send it to the SW, HoCS as above, and if you know it, the panel chair by Monday at the latest, get read receipts or print it, sign it and take it into the council office and insist on a receipt for delivery. Ask that your response is also presented to panel.

Sadly at this juncture and timescale you do not have the time to seek legal advice that would cost a significant amount.

Apologies but I am on my phone as supporting contact for a family, but hopefully this helps.

Best wishes. .. Robin

Dear Fireheart90

Welcome to the kinship carers’ board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie. I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser.

I am sorry to hear about your difficult situation. You have just completed a fostering assessment as you would like to care for your 1-year-old great-nephew. He is a child with complex care needs and is currently being cared for by an unrelated foster carer whom you are concerned wants to adopt him. I understand that you very much want to care for him within his family and believe that you would be able to look after him well.

Unfortunately, your fostering assessment was negative. The social worker has asked you to sign and return the assessment as the fostering panel is next Tuesday. You strongly dispute the assessment and explain that there are errors and omissions in the report and that the social worker has misquoted you. You understandably want to challenge this but are unsure how best to proceed.

The assessing social worker should have provided you with information and guidance about how to challenge a negative assessment. It sounds as if they have not done so.

At Family Rights Group, we provide advice about child welfare in England. Fostering is a devolved issue so legislation about foster care varies across the UK. And the child welfare and legal system is different too. Unfortunately, therefore we are unable to provide any detailed advice. There are specialist services who cover either Wales or England and Wales, and I will signpost you to them below.

Another kinship carer has provided some practical advice about the steps you might consider.

In addition, I would also suggest that you urgently formally (in writing) ask the social worker or fostering team manager to provide you with a copy of their policy and information for prospective carers who have had a negative assessment and that they confirm why they have not given this to you yet. The process should be transparent. In England there are two potential routes to challenge a negative fostering assessment which are to:

• Making a written representation to children’s services, or
• Applying for a review by an independent review panel

So, it is important that you have accurate advice about what the options are in your jurisdiction.

If there are care proceedings for your great-nephew then you should consider letting the family court and the child’s Guardian know that you dispute the negative assessment and still wish to be considered as a potential carer for the child. You can state that you are willing to address or access support/training on any areas for development.

Please see the services below for further advice and information in Wales:

• AFKA Cymru: they offer advice to members of the public and professionals on permanency including kinship fostering. Their advice number is 029 2076 1155.
• Kinship advice service: free, non-judgmental advice and information if you live in England or Wales. Helpline: 0300 123 7015, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 2.00 pm
• Kinship Compass : to find local advice and support
• Law Society Find a Solicitor
• Legal Advice and Information (Wales).

I hope that this helps. I wish you well in challenging the negative assessment.

Best wishes

Suzie