help required-viability check for niece

[auntycupcake]

Hi there!

i am completely new to mumsnet and am hoping that you are able to help me with any advice/experience you may have??

Il start at the beginning....there has always been a sw involved with my niece and up until now they have been satisfied that she is being cared for adaquately.
unfortunately the last few weeks have proven otherwise and i have spent so many sleepless nights worrying about my niece whilst trying to keep the peace to ensure my access to her. i made myself known to ss quite early to let them know who i was should she ever be taken into care as i would be more than willing to have her.

last week i received a phonecall which confirmed my fears

the sw explained that they need to seek different living arrangements for my niece as they have made an application to the court.

i have been contacted by the same sw today who wants to conduct a viability test asap! i have made an appointment for later this week and have tried researching on the internet but not really finding much useful. (prob looking in the wrong places!)

what can i expect from a viability test??

more importantly what will happen to my niece if the court case goes ahead before the viability test?? will she be taken into care temporarily?

i have tried to encourage my nieces mum to hand over legal responsibility to me but failed!

any help would be greatly appreciated at this very worrying and uncertain time

Hi so sorry I know nothing about this area, just wanted to say how lucky your niece is that you're looking out for her. I hope that someone more expert will be along soon.

Can you get back to the sw you spoke to and get more information from her? Or someone else in her department?

I don't know very much but I do believe that I am right in thinking that it is a requirement that all wider birth family members are contacted by social services to see if the child being taken into care can be looked after by a relative before they place them in foster care. If so this will always be considered first before foster care and is called Kinship Care.

Hope you get some more in-depth advice soon. Sounds like you are already more than ready to look after your neice so good luck and hope it all works out.

MrsDV would be a good person to help you. I'll try and PM her.

In my experience (not up to date) you need to show that you are willing and able to have her - eg. you have space, time, finances to do so.

:)

I'm a foster carer and have just moved a child to live with her aunt. Her viability assessment included SWs talking to her and her children to make sure they knew the implications of taking a young child into their family. She had to provide references which were followed up. Financial checks were done and she needed to evidence she could provide good childcare while she worked. She was also expected to take a break from work to allow bonding (not sure that this is always the case).

She has received financial help from SS in the form of a lump sum to buy equipment. She will also get a weekly allowance.
The assessment can take several months so it is possible that your niece will spend some time with a foster carer.

Good luck

Agree with MrsDeVere re support. You are doing a lovely thing but you need to be tough about finances. SS would much rather place a child with family but they can be slow in helping out financially. Don't be afraid to ask them about financial help.

thanks everybody for taken time to help me and for your kind words!
i am hoping that it is right that i can get an emergency assessment as it looks likely that things are going to happen within a few days.
i think i have pretty much everything covered and work will not be an issue as i work at a private day nursery!
i have already spoken to my directors regarding issues and they have agreed to do anything at all to help me including childcare, time off, etc.
just about to check out that website!
thank u all again so much