Dear Sheeny
Welcome to the Family and Friends Carers discussion board.
I am not sure if you are currently being assessed as a potential
family and friends foster carer for your nephew or whether you are being assessed as a possible
Special Guardian or seeking a
Child Arrangements Order for him?
Do check with the social worker if you are unclear what type of assessment you are having. It is a good idea also to ask the social worker to give you a copy of their policy and any other information they can provide you about the assessment itself.
We have some advice sheets which explain more about the different assessment processes which you might find helpful. They are:
•
Family and friends care: becoming a foster carer
•
DIY Special Guardianship Orders – information for family and friends carers (SGO), and
•
DIY Child Arrangements Orders: information for family and friends carers (CAO).
It is great that the first part of the assessment went well but you are worried about how your finances/debts might impact on your assessment. You are probably putting yourself forward to care for your nephew in response to his needs and to allow him to grow up within his family. When social workers are assessing family members they do have to consider your family circumstances, accommodation and standard of living etc. But they also need to be aware that you may not have planned to become a carer and your situation may be different to that of an unrelated carer. Ask the social worker to discuss any issues with you if they come up.
If your assessment is unsuccessful for any reason then make sure to complain or challenge this urgently. There are different ways to do this depending on the type of assessment, when/why you are unsuccessful.
You will be entitled to financial support i.e. a
fostering allowance to help you care for your nephew if he is a
looked after child in your care. You may also be assessed for financial support e.g. a
child arrangements order allowance or a
special guardianship allowance if he stops being looked after when he comes into your care.
It is really important that you make sure that your support needs and those of your nephew are assessed and that you are offered the right allowance or support. You can find a copy of your nephew’s local authority
family and friends care policy here. Do also have a look at our guide to
support for relatives and friends caring for someone else’s child.
If you would like to speak to an adviser at Family Rights Group about your situation future please ring our Freephone advice line 0808 801 0366 Mon – Fri 9.30 to 3.00.
I hope that your assessment continues to progress well and that everything works out for you and your nephew.
Best wishes
Suzie