Kinship Assessment Guide

Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A Good Practice Guide

The Guide sets out best practice as to how an initial family and friends care (‘kinship care’) assessment should be conducted by local authorities. Initial family and friends care assessments are also known as viability assessments. They are used to decide whether a family member or friend might be a potentially realistic option to raise a child who cannot live safely with their parent(s).

The Guide describes what factors social workers conducting the assessment need to consider, including when undertaking assessments with family members overseas. It is also a helpful resource for family members who may be assessed to become kinship carers. The guide includes research evidence, a schedule and example template, and an information sheet for a family and friends carers.