Social Services Viability Assessments Question

[Pinguu]

We are waiting for independant social workers (as directed by the court) to contact us regarding a viability assessment. We have two young children of our own but are being assessed as carers for my husbands 10 year old daughter from a previous relationship as her mother has been found unfit by the courts and is not to return to her care. The child in question is in foster care currently and will remain there if we are unsuccessful.
Just wondered what happens with the viability assessment in detail please, what medical records are checked/police records etc and what could possibly go against us? We have never had any involvements with social services so are somewhat in the dark with regards to this. What questions will be asked and what will be checked? We havent really any concerns regarding this but obviously are a little nervous as being 'assessed' doesnt really sound too pleasant!
I cannot give any further details as the case is very involved and includes legal/criminal proceedings which have been concluded against the mother so Im asking in a more general context. The childs guardian and her local social services team are happy for us to be assessed and have her placed with us should it be 'positive' and we are due to return to court in April for the results of the assessment and final decision over whether the child in question will be placed with us.
We do live a substantial distance away from any other relative of the child so contact problems should not arise and we have been informed that all other parties involved would only ever have 'annual letter box' contact.
Thankyou for any information or advice.

Hi Pinguu we had to go through an assessment for the spaecial guardianship order for our gs. We had to go through several meetings. We were police checked and put forward to panel as foster carers first. We were passed for that and then the assessment started. Close family members were police checked as were we. Our children were asked questions on their own how they felt about gs living with us. Me and my dh were assessed together and on our own about our upbringing, religion/ beliefs, how we discipline, how we would cope with the situation we were involved in i.e. gs was sons child. We had a medical at the doctors. Contacts with gs were supervised at first to see what or parenting skills were like. We had to nominate two people who knew us well to give a reference. These two people were interviewed and had to fill in a form and give a reference. This was around four years ago now so not sure if I have missed anything here.
Good luck :)

Thats great, thankyou so much for taking the time to respond.