The Vital Role of Alternative Carers in Supporting Children and Families
What Are Alternative Carers?
When a child is involved in care proceedings, the Court must decide where they should live in the short and long term. If they cannot remain with their parents, the Court will consider other options, including foster care or placement with a family member, friend or someone already known to the child. These people are known as ‘alternative carers.’
Alternative carers may include grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, family friends, extended family or anyone known to the parents who has a relationship with the child, including people living outside the UK.
Parents usually put forward alternative carers at the start of care proceedings so they can be assessed as a possible short- or long-term option for the child.
What Does The Assessment Involve?
Local authority assessments usually have two stages. The first is an initial viability assessment, where you provide information about yourself, including your living arrangements, reasons for being assessed and relationship with the child. This assessment will recommend whether you should progress to the next stage.
The second stage involves several sessions and visits with a social worker and a detailed review of your circumstances, including areas such as past relationships, criminal history where relevant, and finances. The assessment will consider whether you can realistically care for the child throughout childhood and, if so, under what legal framework.
The Challenges Alternative Carers Face
If you have a positive assessment and the child is placed with you, you may face unexpected challenges, including:
1. Additional financial pressure
2. Supporting children who have experienced trauma
3. Attending meetings with social workers
4. Taking part in safety planning
5. Managing and facilitating contact between the parents and the child
6. Being involved in Court proceedings and decisions
7. Understanding your role and the placement’s legal framework
8. Understanding your rights and the rights of the parents
9. Getting children the support they need in school
10. Maintaining the child’s relationship with siblings and other family members
How GT Stewart Can Help
Independent legal advice is important to ensure your voice is heard and the right legal solution is found for you and your family.
Our Birmingham Family Team advises and supports alternative carers on a range of issues.
We can advise you during care proceedings, explain your rights, guide you through the assessment process and help you secure the support you need from the local authority.
If you have a positive assessment and want independent advice before agreeing to any Court orders, we can arrange a one-off advice session on the Orders, care plan and support available. We can also explain legal options, including Care Orders, Special Guardianship Orders and Child Arrangements Orders, and assist with any Court Applications arising from that advice.
If your assessment is negative, we can help you challenge it and apply to the Court for a new assessment.
Legal aid may be available and is subject to an assessment of your finances and prospects of success.
Contact our Family Law Team in Birmingham today on 0121 643 4121 speak to one of our Lawyers directly about how we can support you through this process.