A connected person assessment is an assessment of a relative, friend, or other person with a meaningful connection to a child who is being considered as a potential carer. It is usually completed where a child cannot safely remain in the care of their parents and professionals are exploring whether someone within the child’s existing family or support network could provide suitable care.
Connected person assessments play an important role in children’s social care and family proceedings. They help local authorities and the family court understand whether a proposed carer can meet the child’s needs, provide a safe and stable home, and protect the child from identified risks.
The assessment is not simply about whether the person has a positive relationship with the child. It considers their practical circumstances, parenting ability, understanding of the concerns, family relationships, support network, and ability to provide consistent care over time.
Understanding Who Can Be a Connected Person
A connected person is someone who already has a relationship with the child or is connected to the child through their family or wider social network. This may include a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling, cousin, family friend, neighbour, or another significant person in the child’s life.
The term is commonly used when a child may need to live away from their parents. Rather than moving immediately to an unrelated foster placement, professionals will usually consider whether there are safe and appropriate options within the child’s family or existing network.
This approach can help children maintain important relationships, family connections, cultural identity, and a sense of continuity. However, any proposed arrangement must still be assessed carefully to ensure that it is safe, sustainable, and in the child’s best interests.
Why Is a Connected Person Assessment Needed?
A connected person assessment is needed to determine whether the proposed carer can provide appropriate care for the child. It allows professionals to look beyond the individual’s willingness to help and consider whether they have the ability, insight, stability, and resources required.
The assessment may be requested by a local authority, directed by the family court, or completed as part of pre-proceedings work. It may also follow an initial viability assessment where a family member or friend has been identified as a possible carer.
In many cases, the assessment is required because important decisions are being made about the child’s immediate or long-term future. The local authority or court will need clear evidence about whether the proposed placement is realistic and whether it can meet the child’s needs.
The process also helps identify any support, training, financial assistance, or professional involvement the carer may require.
What Does a Connected Person Assessment Consider?
A connected person assessment considers a wide range of factors relating to the proposed carer, the child, and the wider family circumstances.
The social worker will usually explore the individual’s background, personal history, relationships, health, housing, finances, employment, and support network. They will also consider any previous involvement with social care services, the police, or other agencies where relevant.
The assessment will look closely at the person’s relationship with the child and their understanding of the child’s experiences. This is particularly important where the child has experienced neglect, abuse, instability, loss, or trauma.
The proposed carer will need to demonstrate that they understand the concerns that led to social work involvement. They must also show that they can protect the child, including where this may require setting boundaries with the child’s parents or other relatives.
The assessment will consider whether the carer can meet the child’s emotional, physical, developmental, educational, cultural, and practical needs. It will also examine whether the proposed placement can remain stable if family relationships become difficult or circumstances change.
The Importance of Understanding the Concerns
One of the most important parts of a connected person assessment is the proposed carer’s understanding of the safeguarding concerns.
A person may have a strong relationship with the child and genuinely want to care for them, but they must also recognise why the child may be unable to remain with their parents. If they minimise or reject the concerns, this may affect their ability to protect the child.
The social worker will explore the individual’s views about the parents, previous incidents, and the involvement of professionals. They may consider whether the proposed carer has previously supported the parents in a way that placed the child at risk or whether they are able to take an independent and child-focused position.
A connected person may need to manage difficult family relationships, supervise or support contact, and respond appropriately if a parent breaches agreed boundaries. Their ability to do this safely is a central part of the assessment.
The Child’s Needs and Relationship With the Proposed Carer
The child’s individual needs are central to the assessment. A placement that may be suitable for one child may not be appropriate for another, even where the proposed carer is the same person.
The assessment will consider the child’s age, development, health, education, behaviour, emotional wellbeing, identity, and previous experiences. It will also consider whether the child has additional needs that may require specialist care or ongoing professional support.
The child’s relationship with the proposed carer will be explored, including the level of familiarity, trust, and emotional connection between them. Where appropriate, the child’s wishes and feelings may also be considered.
However, a positive relationship alone does not determine the outcome. The social worker must also assess whether the proposed carer can provide structure, stability, boundaries, and long-term care.
Practical Matters Within a Connected Person Assessment
A connected person assessment also considers the practical arrangements involved in caring for the child. This may include whether the home is suitable, whether there is enough space, how the carer would manage work or other responsibilities, and what financial impact the placement may have. Existing caring responsibilities and the needs of other household members will also be considered.
The assessment may involve discussions with partners, adult children, or other people living in the home. This is because the placement is likely to affect the whole household, not only the proposed carer.
The social worker may also consider the location of the home, the child’s school, transport arrangements, contact with family members, and access to support services. Any practical difficulties do not automatically prevent a positive assessment. However, they must be understood and addressed so that the placement can be properly planned.
Checks and References
Connected person assessments usually involve a range of checks and references. These may include criminal record checks, local authority checks, health information, and references from people who know the proposed carer.
The purpose of these checks is to identify any information that may affect the person’s suitability or the child’s safety. The social worker will consider the relevance, seriousness, and context of any concerns rather than relying on isolated information without analysis.
The proposed carer is expected to be open and honest throughout the process. A failure to disclose relevant information may raise concerns about their reliability and ability to work openly with professionals.
What Is the Difference Between a Viability Assessment and a Connected Person Assessment?
A viability assessment is usually an initial assessment used to decide whether a proposed carer should proceed to a fuller assessment. It considers whether there is a realistic possibility that the individual could care for the child safely.
A connected person assessment is generally more detailed. It explores the proposed carer’s background, parenting ability, safeguarding awareness, practical circumstances, support needs, and long-term suitability.
A positive viability assessment does not guarantee that the full assessment will also be positive. It means that there is enough information to justify further consideration. The full assessment will provide a more complete analysis and recommendations for the local authority or family court.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, the social worker will prepare a written report. This will set out the information considered, the assessment process, identified strengths, areas of concern, and any recommended support.
The report will usually conclude whether the proposed carer is considered suitable and whether the placement is likely to meet the child’s needs.
In some cases, the assessment may be positive but subject to specific support, training, or practical arrangements. In other cases, the social worker may conclude that the proposed placement would not be safe or sustainable.
The final decision may be made by the local authority, fostering panel, or family court, depending on the circumstances and the legal arrangements being considered.
Why Connected Person Assessments Are Important
Connected person assessments help ensure that family and network placements are considered carefully and fairly.
Living with someone already known to the child can offer important benefits, including greater continuity, stronger identity, and continued family relationships. However, these benefits must be balanced against the need for safety, stability, and reliable care.
A detailed assessment helps professionals make informed decisions and reduces the risk of a placement breaking down because important issues were not identified in advance. It can also help the proposed carer understand the responsibility involved and the support they may need.
Contact MHA Professional Services for Connected Person Assessments
MHA Professional Services provides independent connected person assessments for local authorities, solicitors, families, and organisations across the UK.
Our experienced independent social workers provide clear, balanced, and evidence-based assessments that consider the child’s needs, the proposed carer’s strengths, and any safeguarding or practical concerns. We understand the importance of completing assessments within agreed timescales and providing professional reports that support effective decision-making.
If you require a connected person assessment, contact MHA Professional Services to discuss the circumstances of the case and the support required.