Helping families, professionals, and children move forward safely.

When a child cannot remain with their parents, extended family or close friends are often considered as alternative carers. However, it’s crucial to quickly and accurately assess whether they can provide safe, stable, and nurturing care. Without this, children risk facing uncertainty, unnecessary delays, or placements that may not meet their long-term needs.

We deliver independent, timely viability assessments that explore whether relatives or connected persons are suitable to care for a child. Our reports highlight both the strengths and areas of concern, giving local authorities and courts a clear indication of whether a full assessment is appropriate. Every evaluation is evidence-based, sensitive, and designed to support swift decision-making in the child’s best interests.

Fast, impartial, and thorough assessments
Child-centred approach that prioritises safety and wellbeing
Trusted by local authorities and family courts for clarity and reliability

2. Special Guardianship Assessments

Some children require a permanent and stable home outside of parental care. A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) offers long-term security while maintaining family connections. Assessing whether applicants are ready and able to take on this lifelong commitment is critical to ensuring stability and preventing future placement breakdowns.

Our comprehensive Special Guardianship assessments consider every aspect of the applicant’s ability to meet a child’s needs — physically, emotionally, socially, and financially. We explore their motivations, parenting capacity, understanding of the commitment, and the support systems they may need. The goal is always to safeguard the child while supporting guardians to succeed.

- Independent, holistic, and thorough evaluations
- Sensitive exploration of family dynamics and commitment
- Clear, balanced recommendations that support long-term placement success

3. Parenting Assessments

Decisions about whether children can remain in the care of their parents are some of the most difficult in social work. Without a robust, evidence-based parenting assessment, children may remain at risk, or families may be unfairly separated. A clear, professional assessment ensures every decision is made with the child’s welfare at the centre.

We provide detailed parenting assessments that evaluate a parent’s capacity to meet their child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Our independent social workers assess strengths, risks, and areas for support, providing courts and local authorities with balanced, factual insights. The process is conducted with respect and sensitivity, ensuring that parents are heard while children remain protected.

- - Evidence-based and impartial reporting
  - Experienced assessors with strong child-protection expertise
  - Balanced recommendations that reflect both strengths and risks

4. Sibling Assessments

For children entering care, the question of whether siblings should remain together or apart is deeply significant. These decisions affect emotional bonds, attachment, and long-term wellbeing. Without careful assessment, children may lose essential relationships or remain in placements that don’t support their best interests.

Our sibling assessments explore the nature and strength of sibling relationships, including attachment, compatibility, and the potential impact of placement decisions. We provide clear, sensitive guidance to inform whether siblings should be placed together or separately, always prioritising the emotional and developmental needs of each child.

In-depth understanding of sibling dynamics and attachment theory
Child-centred evaluations that balance individual and group needs
Trusted reports that guide sensitive and life-changing decisions

5. Risk Assessments Around Family Time

Maintaining contact with family is often vital for children in care — but it must be safe, positive, and in the child’s best interests. Without proper risk assessment, contact can expose children to emotional or physical harm, or undermine their progress in care.

We carry out risk assessments around family time, evaluating the safety, suitability, and impact of contact with parents or relatives. Our assessments consider the child’s needs, the history of family relationships, and any protective or risk factors. The outcome is clear guidance on whether, and how, family time can be managed safely and positively.