Kinship Assessment Service

The revised court guidance in the Public Law Outline places increased emphasis upon pre-proceedings preparation of cases by the local authority to ensure all necessary steps have been completed in order to avoid unnecessary delay. This will include all kinship care options being fully explored.

As part of pre-proceedings preparation, local authorities will therefore be encouraged to convene Family Group Conferences to identify prospective carers at the earliest stage possible. Viability Assessments of potential kinship carers will need to consider how best to ensure children remain in their birth family so long as it is safe for them to do so. Where viable, full Kinship Assessments based on the latest BAAF guidance will be undertaken.

WillisPalmer has developed a comprehensive service to support local authorities as they seek to meet the challenge of the new Public Law Outline.

Supporting local authorities

WiIlisPalmer can support local authorities by providing a comprehensive Kinship Assessment Service on a case by case basis as part of the local authority pre-proceedings work within the Public Law Outline.

• The core service comprises the following:
• Organising and facilitating a Family Group Conference
• Preparation of written family plan
• Viability assessments of prospective kinship placements
• Full Kinship Assessments or Special Guardianship Reports where required
• Provision of overview report

Partnership

We are committed to developing strong and sustainable partnerships with local authority colleagues in the delivery of quality services through Service Level Agreements, Contracts or Spot Purchasing arrangements. By commissioning WillisPalmer local authorities and other agencies can be assured of a professional service in all aspects of kinship care.