Kinship assessment

An assessment is a chance for us to get to know your situation and understand what help and support may be available for you and the child in your care.

We'll work with you throughout the process, explain what is happening, and make sure you are involved in decisions about the child's future.

When an assessment may take place

We may suggest an assessment:

• when a child comes to live with you
• if support is needed from Early Help or Children's Services
• if legal arrangements, such as a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or Child Arrangements Order (CAO), are being considered
• if your circumstances change
• when you ask for support

You can also talk to your social worker or the Kinship Team if you think an assessment would be helpful.

What we'll talk about

We'll talk with you about:

• the child's needs
• how things are going for you as their carer
• the support you have around you
• any help that could make things easier
• your experiences and family circumstances
• how you can meet the child's needs and support them as they grow

We may also speak to the child and other people involved in their life, such as their school or health professionals.

We'll always explain what information we're collecting, why we need it, and how it will be used.

Part of the assessment also involves

Depending on the type of assessment, we may also:

• ask people who know you well to provide references
• carry out a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
• arrange a health check with your GP