We ensure that all viability assessments are focused on the needs and development of the child, and how the prospective carer may be able to meet those needs. Each of our assessments look at:

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• Prospective carer's level of motivation for providing a permanent home for the child

• Their family relationships and functioning

• Experience of parenting their own child including their methods of managing behaviour

• Their readiness and capacity to look after the child

• The difficulties that may have led to the family breakdown and his/her insight into this.

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What else is included?

• A synopsis of risk and protective factors

• A financial overview

• An assessment of support and supervision needs.

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Assessment process

• Home visit completed within 7 working days of receiving all referral documents

• If the viability is positive, we immediately go into a full assessment, after agreement from the instructing party

• If the child is in care proceedings, and the care plan is reliant upon the outcome of the assessment, assessments are completed in the format of a statement for the courts

• Where the assessment uncovers severe potential difficulties, and the prospective carer seeks support in overcoming them, depending on the court’s view, we are able to prepare action plans and packages of care to support overcoming the anticipated difficulties

• In the conclusion and recommendations section, clear reasons are given why the assessment should go ahead or reasons why it should not, highlighting issues that need to be explored in full assessment.

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Timescales

• All viability assessments, with a written report, are completed within 12 working days of acceptance.

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