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Kinship Assessment Guide home page with detailed contents list

5 minute read

Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A Good Practice Guide

These assessments are commonly known as viability assessments 

Developed by Family Rights Group in partnership with an expert working group.  

First published in 2017 by Family Rights Group. This revised and updated edition published in 2022 by Family Rights Group.

Endorsed by:

Association of Directors of Children’s Services
Family Justice Council
Cafcass
Catch 22
Coram BAAF
Coram Chambers
Coram Children’s Legal Centre
Association of Lawyers for Children
Family Action
Family Rights Group
Kinship
Kinship Carers UK
Kinship Care Alliance
London Borough of Islington
Principal Social Work Network
The Fostering Network
The Kinship ‘Foster Carers’ Group

Contents:

Members of the 2017 working group

Acknowledgements

Section 1. Introduction: Why initial family and friends care assessments (commonly known as viability assessments) matter

1.1 What is a viability assessment?
1.2 Why undertake a viability assessment?

Section 2. Principles and best practice

2.1 The principles underpinning a viability assessment

a) Conducted in a spirit of enquiry
b) Conducted in a spirit of partnership
c) Remain focused on the child and their needs and development
d) Evidence-based, and include analysis of the evidence
e) A legally sound viability assessment

2.2 Best practice in process and procedures

a) Identifying who to assess
b) When to assess
c) How to assess
d) Presenting the information

Section 3. Factors to consider during the assessment

a) Motivation
b) Understanding of the needs of the child and family
c) Age of carer
d) Accommodation
e) Employment status of carer
f) Finances
g) Health of carer
h) Lifestyle of carer and household members
i) Experience of parenting and significant other relationships
j) Criminal convictions
k) Relationship with child
l) Family dynamics and contact
m) Impact on other household members
n) Working relationships with professionals
o) Potential placement options

Section 4. Undertaking international viability assessments

4.1 International treaties and cooperation
4.2 Factors to consider in international viability assessments
4.3 Contact

Section 5. Forming a conclusion

Appendices

Appendix A – Research evidence by Professor Joan Hunt
Appendix B – Family group conferences
Appendix C – Schedule and example template
Appendix D – Information sheet for families
Appendix E – Useful organisations
Delivering good practice initial assessments of family and friends carers in the context of Covid-19

For further information contact:

Caroline Lynch, Principal Legal Adviser, Family Rights Group
Email: clynch@frg.org.uk 

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