Independent social worker assessment

[Hmarg]

Hi
How does a ISWA work ? How much us it and how do you pay ? I.e upfront , in installment? Are they worth getting after negative Fostering and therefore SG Reports ?
Thank you .

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Hmarg

Welcome to the discussion board and thank you for your post. My name is Suzie, I am an online adviser for the Family Rights Group and will be replying to your post today.

You would like to know how an ISWA works, what costs are involved and whether, following a negative fostering assessment is it worth commissioning one. I will assume you are referring to an Independent Social Work Assessment and will advise as such.

An independent social worker assessment is when a social worker who does not work for the local authority is instructed to carry out a social worker assessment. They are usually instructed by a court and fees are spread between parties. The cost of an assessment will depend on the complexity of the assessment and other costs such as travel and whether the assessor will be required to attend court hearings etc.

I think from the brief information you have provided you may have been negatively assessed for temporary foster care approval and you are concerned that this will now impact on an application to become a Special Guardian. If you can provide some further clarification, we may be able to provide you with more specific advice. Or it may me that the information I have provided below is sufficient to your enquiry. I hope you find the links helpful:

Kinship Assessment Guide Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: commonly known as a Viability Assessment

Challenging a Viability Assessment – template letter 3

Temporary Kinship Foster Care

Kinship Care

Challenging negative assessments

Complaints – information on making a formal complaint to Children’s Services

I hope you find this information useful.  Should you wish to speak to an adviser please call our free advice line: 0808 801 0366 (Mon to Fri 9.30a.m. – 3.00p.m excluding bank holidays). Or you can of course post again on here.

Best wishes, Suzie