Friends and family viability assessment tomorrow and had no information

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We (DH and I) have passed police checks after putting ourselves forward to be assessed as connected persons foster carers for a young person we know through our shared voluntary work. He is 15 and currently in a childrens home. We aren't his family and we don't know his family, just him.

We had the phone call Thurs morning to book an initial viability assessment in for tomorrow evening. We have had no information through on email as promised, I have not got a direct line to the kinship team (they called from a withheld number) nor do I know the name or email of the person coming to do the assessment. If I call the main fostering service they are only able to pass on a message which might or might not get answered.

We have 0 idea what to expect. Currently the upper floor of our house is a bit of a state ( it is about to be replastered as there are some areas where plaster has come off walls, and the door to the proposed room for the foster child does not shut properly as its warped but is due to be replaced.) The proposed room also needs a redecorate to make it nicer as there are a few drill holes from old shelving and its painted purple so very dark. All of this work is booked in for the next 6 weeks or so but as we only had 5 days notice of the appointment we have not had time to sort this beforehand. Will it count against us that this is unfinished even though there is a plan to sort it?

Can anyone please let me know their experiences - I have read the usual info online but would like some personal anecdotes where possible so I know what to prepare for.

Thank you

The viability assessment is a brief assessment to look at whether you should progress to a full family and friends assessment. There can also sometimes be an approval for an emergency placement but that's probably not practical with the room not ready. Although stanger things have happened.

They are looking to see if you meet the fostering standards but there will be some flexibility for a 'connected person' (someone who knows the young person). Yes they will want to make sure the rooms suitable but you can share your plans. Then they will want to check you are committed to the plan, any risks are manageable and you are able to give the young person the support they need. They should also explain how to fund the arrangement.

I would be surprised if they didn't bite your hand off given the cost of residential care. I would make sure you are fully informed and see it as a process where you can think the commitment through and ask for support not just about passing.

Many local authorities will publish their procedures online. You can Google your local authority name then kinship assessment or reg 24. Also check out the family rights group and helpline. Good luck

As pp says, try not to worry too much, this is just the initial basic checks. They will want to know that you have the room and the resources (as in both time and money, though there will be a kinship allowance), and that you have a basic idea of what looking after a child involves, and a caring and understanding approach.

This is a really early-stage exploration; when people don't progress any further at this point it's usually because of something big, eg not enough room in the property and no scope to upsize, clearly inappropriate parenting style (threatening to kick the child out for misbehaving is one I heard), or the person put themselves forward out of a sense of duty and quickly realise it's not remotely practical for whatever reason. You sound like you have thought about things so I wouldn't worry at all about this first meeting.