When children are removed from their parents care either on a short or long term basis, parents are often asked to put forward alternative carers for their children. These people, referred to as connected or kinship carers, are usually family members or close friends.
If you are put forward as a connected or kinship carer the Local Authority will undertake an assessment of you known as a Viability Assessment. This is an initial short assessment to consider whether or not you would be able to care for the children. If this assessment is positive then a full connected carers assessment is undertaken. If this assessment is negative the Local Authority will not assess you any further.
There are a number of different stages that proposed connected carers may seek legal advice. If your initial assessment or full assessment is negative and you feel that the information is incorrect or has not be considered properly, you may be able to apply to challenge that assessment and seek further assessment either from the Local Authority or an Independent Social Worker.
If you seek to challenge this assessment you may be able to apply for legal aid on the basis you meet specific criteria, which we can advise you on during any initial appointment. If your initial assessment and fuller assessment are both positive the Local Authority will often agree to fund legal advice for you in relation to the types of order they may seek at any Final Hearing.
Should you require legal advice in respect of any assessment undertaken by the Local Authority in respect of yourself, we have a dedicated team who are able to assist with your queries.
