Viability assessment

[Maskgirl99x]

I’m just needing abit of advice I’m currently been assessed to have a current family member I have had the viability assessment and medical does that normal mean if those thing have been done the children will be definitely moving into someone’s care and parents will not get the child back , as the social are being very quiet about the situation when I ask questions as originally this was to have one child but there are two they are sibling but another family member is being assessed for the other child , as I currently have 3 children myself and another 2 would be a lot but in the report I have been assessed for both and I made clear I would only take both if no other family is suitable the report has been filled to court what does that mean ? And also what support do you get for caring for another as I stated I would need a 7 seater would they be able to support that and extra storage and bedding , everytime I speak with them they don’t answer my questions very frustrating

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Maskgirl99

Thank you for posting on the forum. You have, however, posted on the parents’ forum and not kinship forum.

My name is Suzie online adviser at Family Rights Group and will respond to your post here on this occasion.

You have put yourself forward to be assessed as long-term carer for a family member. It appears that you have had a positive viability assessment which is good. A viability assessment is to ascertain whether a person is suitable to have a more in-depth assessment to be a foster carer or, in some case obtain a special guardianship order (SGO) which appears to be the process you are going through now.

It is not clear from your post if the full assessment is finished as you say the assessment has been filed with the court. Do you mean the viability assessment has been filed? It is normal practice for all reports to be filed with the court and shared with the parties in the case. If it is the final report, it reflects your position regarding the children, and this will be part of the consideration of as what is best for each child. Another family member is being assessed and if positive will be part of the decision making for permanence for the children. The children are siblings and might be preferable to place them together if it is in the children's best interests to do so.

If the court makes a final care order and the children are in your care as a foster carer, the parents could not remove them from your care. They would need to apply to the court to discharge the order. The same would be the case if you are given a SGO.

I believe you have been assessed for both children as a contingency should the other family member have a negative assessment. From your post, you are willing to have both children in that situation.

Regarding support, if you are a foster carer, you would receive a fostering allowance, and children’s services would be responsible for the child/children as a ‘corporate parent’. They should take account of the children’s needs, and this could include ensuring that you have an appropriate car. If you are a special guardian, there should be support package prepared which should include what you require to support the placement. With a SGO you would be responsible for the child as you would have exclusive parental responsibility. This means you make decisions relating to the child and the parents’ agreement is not necessary.

You can ask to have legal advice if you are asking for a SGO, which children’s services can finance and usually for a couple of hours. It is most helpful to have this advice once the support package is offered so you can be advised about this.

It might be better for you to put in writing to the social worker what you require, as stated in your post, if the child/children are to move to your care.

I have included below links to information on our website which I think you will find helpful:

1. Becoming a kinship foster carer

2. Special Guardianship an introduction

3. Practical and financial support for special guardians

I hope you find this helpful and as that you join the kinship forum so you receive peer support from the poster there who may have been in a similar situation to you.

Should you wish to speak to an adviser, you can telephone our advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).

Best wishes
Suzie