A viability assessment is the first filter. Before the court commits to a full connected persons or SGO assessment, it needs to know whether the proposed carer is a realistic option for this child. I've completed viability assessments for grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and former partners across England and Wales, and the purpose is always the same: to give the court an honest, structured initial view of whether the proposed placement has enough going for it to justify the time, cost, and emotional investment of a full assessment.
What a viability assessment is
A viability assessment is not a full assessment. It's not a final answer. It's a focused piece of work that asks a straightforward question: is this person worth assessing further? When someone comes forward during care proceedings and says they want to look after a child, the court needs a way of deciding whether that offer is realistic before committing to a process that can take three months or more. The viability assessment provides that initial analysis.
In practice, it means I'm looking at the basics. Does this person have a genuine and meaningful relationship with the child? Do they understand why the child can't live with their parents? Is their home suitable? Are there any immediate safeguarding concerns? Do they have the capacity and willingness to engage with a full assessment if the viability is positive? It's a shorter, sharper piece of work than a full SGO or connected persons assessment, but it still needs to be thorough enough for the court to rely on.
When they're ordered
Viability assessments are most commonly ordered when a family member or close friend comes forward during care proceedings and offers to care for the child. Sometimes one person puts their hand up. Sometimes it's three or four, and I've had cases where even more people have come forward. The court simply cannot commission a full assessment for every person who volunteers. Viability assessments help narrow the field so the court can focus its resources on the strongest options.
They're also used when the local authority is considering a Regulation 24 placement, which I'll come to shortly. In those situations the assessment supports a temporary approval and needs to be completed quickly. The court is balancing urgency with rigour, and the viability assessment sits at that junction. It gives enough information to make a reasonable decision without requiring the months of work that a full assessment demands.
What it covers
A viability assessment is shorter and more focused than a full SGO assessment, but it still covers ground that matters. I'll be looking at the proposed carer's motivation for coming forward. Why do they want to care for this child? Is this a considered decision or a reaction driven by guilt, family pressure, or a desire to keep the child away from the care system at all costs? Motivation is one of the first things I explore because it tells me a lot about whether this placement could be sustained over years, not just months.
I'll look at the household. Who lives there? Is there space for the child? Are there any other children or adults whose needs might be affected? I'll carry out basic safeguarding checks and ask whether there's anything in the proposed carer's history that might raise concerns. I'll want to understand their relationship with the child, how well they know the child's needs, and whether they have a realistic understanding of what caring for this particular child would involve. DBS checks are initiated at this stage. The whole thing usually takes one or two visits, plus the time to complete checks and write the report.
What it's like for you
If you've put yourself forward as a potential carer for a child in your family, the viability assessment is the first step. I know it can feel like a lot is riding on it, and that's because it is. A positive viability means you'll progress to a full assessment. A negative viability usually means you won't go any further, at least not at this stage of the proceedings.
I'll visit you at home. I'll ask about your relationship with the child, how often you see them, what you know about their life and their experiences. I'll ask about your understanding of why the child can't live with their parents, because that tells me something important about how you'd manage the complexity of the situation if the child came to live with you. I'll ask about your household, your health, your support network, and your willingness to engage with the full assessment process if things progress. It's shorter and less intensive than a full assessment, but it still matters. I'll be straightforward with you about what I'm looking at and why, and I won't leave you guessing about what comes next.
Regulation 24
Sometimes a child needs to be placed with a connected person urgently, before there's time to complete a full assessment. Regulation 24 of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 allows the local authority to do this on a temporary basis. The viability assessment supports that temporary approval by giving the local authority an initial view of whether the placement is safe and appropriate in the short term.
These placements are time-limited. The full connected persons or SGO assessment must follow, and the temporary approval is reviewed regularly. Regulation 24 exists because the alternative, placing a child with strangers while you wait for a full assessment of their grandmother, often makes no sense when there's a willing and apparently suitable family member available. But the safeguards are there for good reason, and the viability assessment is part of that safety net. I've completed a number of these assessments where speed was critical, and the key is being thorough within the time available rather than cutting corners.
What happens after
If the viability assessment is positive, the court will usually order a full connected persons or SGO assessment. That's a much more detailed process involving multiple visits, enhanced DBS checks, references, a GP medical report, and a comprehensive written assessment covering every aspect of the proposed carer's suitability. The viability assessment opens the door to that process.
If the viability is negative, I'll explain why in the report. My reasoning will be clear, specific, and grounded in what I found during the assessment. A negative viability doesn't necessarily close the door permanently. Circumstances change, and people sometimes address the concerns that were raised. But in the context of the current proceedings, it does mean the court has decided not to pursue that option at this stage, and the focus will shift to other plans for the child.
For solicitors and professionals
Viability assessments are typically shorter-turnaround pieces of work, usually two to four weeks from instruction to filed report. I can often start within a week, which matters when the court timetable is tight. In the letter of instruction, it helps to include the proposed carer's full details, their relationship to the child, any concerns already known to the local authority, and whether Regulation 24 approval is being sought or has already been granted. If more than one person is being assessed, let me know at the outset so I can plan the work efficiently.
If the viability is positive and the court orders a full assessment, I'm usually well placed to continue with that work because I already know the family and the background. That continuity saves time and avoids the proposed carer having to start over with someone new. I'm happy to discuss scope and timescales before formal instruction if it helps with case planning.