Becoming a foster carer to a relatives child

[lynnh28]

i need a bit of advice. Me & my hubby have approached the LA to become the carer to my hubby's cousin newborn baby. mum is a drug user so is not allowed to keep the baby. SW is coming to see us on the 29th may to do an initial assessment. does anyone know what happens at this assessment? the mom has already tols SW she has no concerns with us having baby.

[cantfindamnnickname]

They will do a basic viability assessment - basic checks to make sure you are willing and have no criminal convictions/mental health problems.
If they ae happy then they will do a more detailed assessment as proceedings continue to ensure that you know what you are taking on and working with teh mum etc

[lynnh28]

so does tht mean the baby can be placed with us after having the basic assessment because we are family?

[cantfindamnnickname]

yes probably

[scarlet5tyger]

Not necessarily - it took 18 months for my last drug addicted baby to be placed with family.

[Kewcumber]

MrsDeVere is the poster to ask - she has been in this position. Go stalk her on teh adopiton boards I'm sure she wouldn;t mind

[Birdsgottafly]

so does tht mean the baby can be placed with us after having the basic assessment because we are family

In my LA it wouldn't and really a basic assessment wouldn't be enough.

The shortest timescale would be around three months.

The initial assessment only includes the basic checks and starts the procedure.

Then the more personal assessments of you both will be done.

[NanaNina]

Agree with other posters. The viability assessment is to see if it is worth proceeding to a full kinship care assessment (which costs time and money) as others have said the viability will just probably ask for a CRB (police check) to see if either of you have offences. He/she will want to ensure that your home is suitable for a baby (doens't have to be perfect) just normal standards of hygience etc.

If the LA proceed to a full assessment that can take months to carry out and it is very comprehensive.

Just a word of caution here - you say this is a baby - well they may place her with you on the basis of short term foster care, and then ask you to apply for a Special Guardianship Order (which means that you would have the parental responsibility) but it also means that you may only get funding for a short time. Any financial help with a SGO is discretionary, so can be reduced or stopped altogether. They will not want you to be long term foster carers as the baby should not spend all her childhood in care, but it also means that they don't have to pay fostering allowances. Maybe discuss this with them at some point.