If you are being or thinking of being assessed this information will help you understand more about the kinship assessment process.
Step 1 – putting yourself forward
It may be that you've put yourself forward or it may be that you've been approached by a social worker and asked to care for the child or young person.
Step 2 – viability assessment
The first part of the kinship assessment is the completion of a viability assessment.
This is completed by the child’s social worker in your home and assesses whether caring for the child(ren) is right for everyone. They will also talk about whether you would be willing to care for the child(ren) in the longer term (if needed) and whether you're willing to be assessed further as a kinship carer.
If you're considering caring for a child who is 'looked after' and the viability assessment is positive, it's likely the child will move into your home, and you will be given temporary approval as a kinship foster carer.
This temporary approval can last for up to 16 weeks from the date the child moved in to live with you and can be extended for a further 8 weeks if needed. This is referred to as 'reg 24 & 25' and is governed by Regulation 24 and 25 of the Care Planning Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010.
During this period, you will be:
- assessed to be a kinship carer beyond the 16-week period
- supported and supervised by a kinship social worker
- paid a fostering allowance
- able to access training
- able to access kinship support groups
Step 3 – the kinship assessment
You will have your own social worker who will explain the process and support you through the assessment.
If appropriate you will also be encouraged to seek legal advice and we'll fund a one-off legal consultation for you.
We will also ask you to consent to some background checks including a health assessment, and a police check (DBS - Disclosure and Barring Service).
A social worker will complete the assessment of you as a kinship carer, using the Coram BAAF Form K. Your assessing social worker will explain why they need to ask questions and will be able to answer any questions you may have. You should also receive a blank copy of the Form K for you to reference.
The assessment is designed to help us work together to gather the information needed to make a decision about the child you're caring for. The Kinship Care Assessment explores your family's strengths, what is working well, and any support you may need
The assessment will involve several home visits by the assessing social worker which you and, if applicable, your partner will need to be available for. It will consider aspects such as your family history, relationships, lifestyle, ability to provide a safe and stable home, and your capacity to meet the child's needs now and in the future.
The assessment we complete also includes a support plan to ensure that all those involved in your assessment make provisions for what support your kinship family will need now and in the future. When children or carers have disabilities or additional needs, we'll make sure assessments and support plans reflect this.
Once the kinship assessment and recommendation are complete the assessing social worker will share their report with you. It will also take into consideration, if needed, how we can support you to be a kinship carer and to safely meet the needs of the young person.
This report might be shared in court and with a fostering panel.
If a positive recommendation is made this will be one of 2 outcomes:
- Recommendation to the foster panel for you to be approved as a kinship foster carer
- Recommendation to the court for a special guardianship order (SGO)
In line with Working Together 2026, all kinship assessments in Derbyshire follow a child-centred, whole-family practice model. This includes consideration of cultural identity, disability, communication needs, safeguarding, and the views of the child and wider family network.