When care proceedings are underway and the court is considering where a child should live, one of the first questions is whether there's someone who already knows that child and could care for them. That's what a connected persons assessment is all about. I've assessed grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, and former foster carers as potential carers for children in proceedings across England and Wales. The assessment is always focused on one central question: can this person provide this particular child with the care they need, as an alternative to the child being placed with strangers?
What a connected persons assessment is
"Connected person" is the legal term used in care proceedings for someone who has a prior relationship with the child and has put themselves forward, or been identified, as a potential carer. The assessment examines whether that person is suitable to look after the child. It is carried out because the court has a duty to consider kinship placements before placing a child with unrelated foster carers, and it needs an independent, evidence-based analysis of whether the proposed arrangement would actually work for the child.
In practice, connected persons assessments sit at the heart of the court's decision-making about placement. If there's a family member or close friend who is willing and able to care for the child, the court needs to know. My job is to carry out a thorough assessment, look honestly at the strengths and the risks, and provide the court with a clear recommendation.
Who counts as a connected person
The term covers a wide range of people. Grandparents are the most common, followed by aunts, uncles, older siblings, step-parents, and family friends. I've also assessed neighbours, parents of the child's school friends, and former foster carers who had previously looked after the child. The connection does not have to be a blood relationship. What matters is that the person has an existing, meaningful relationship with the child and is putting themselves forward, or being considered, as a potential carer.
In some cases, several connected persons come forward at the same time. A maternal grandmother and a paternal aunt might both want to be considered, for example. The court will usually order a viability assessment for each person first, and then commission full assessments for those who are realistic options. That process can feel competitive, and I'm always mindful that the people I'm assessing are often family members who are stepping up at a very difficult time.
When it happens
Connected persons assessments usually arise during care proceedings, when the local authority is seeking an order and the court needs to consider all realistic placement options before making a final decision. The court has a legal duty to consider family and friends as potential carers before looking at unrelated foster placements. That principle runs through everything.
Sometimes the local authority identifies a connected person early in proceedings and puts them forward for assessment. Sometimes a family member approaches a solicitor and asks to be considered. Sometimes the court directs that a connected persons assessment be carried out because a viable option has emerged during the proceedings. The timing varies, but the purpose is always the same: to give the court the information it needs to make a safe and informed decision about where the child should live.
What the assessment covers
A connected persons assessment is similar to an SGO assessment in many respects, but the focus is specifically on suitability as a carer for this particular child. I need to understand the person's background, their health, the composition of their household, and their experience of parenting. I'll explore their understanding of the child's needs and history, their motivation for putting themselves forward, and the strength of their support network. I'll look at any identified risks and how they might be managed.
DBS checks, personal references, and a GP medical report are all part of the process. I'll also carry out checks with the local authority. The assessment has to address whether this person can keep the child safe, meet their developmental needs, and sustain the placement for the long term. That last point is important. It's not enough for the placement to work for six months. The court needs to be confident that this person can provide stability and consistency as the child grows up.
How it differs from an SGO assessment
This is one of the most common questions I get, and the honest answer is that the two assessments overlap significantly. In many cases, the same assessment serves both purposes. The key difference is in what the court has asked for. A connected persons assessment asks: is this person suitable to care for the child? An SGO assessment goes further and asks: should the court make a Special Guardianship Order in their favour?
Sometimes the court orders a connected persons assessment first and then, if the outcome is positive, directs a full SGO assessment. Sometimes both questions are rolled into a single assessment from the outset. It depends on what the court has directed and where the proceedings have reached. If you're unsure which assessment you need, my guide to SGO assessments explains the Special Guardianship process in more detail.
What it's like for you
If you're the person being assessed, the process will feel similar to what I've described in my SGO guide. There will be several home visits, detailed conversations about your life and your relationship with the child, and practical questions about how you would manage their care. I'll also arrange DBS checks, contact your GP for a medical report, and take up references from people who know you well.
I always explain everything at the outset so you know what to expect. The assessment is thorough because it has to be. The court is making a decision about where a child will live, and it needs to be confident that the placement is right. Some of the conversations will be personal. I'll ask about your own childhood, your significant relationships, and how you've handled difficult times. That context helps me understand who you are as a person and what kind of carer you're likely to be. It's not about catching you out. It's about building a full and honest picture.
For solicitors and professionals
Clarity in the letter of instruction makes a real difference. Be specific about whether you're seeking a connected persons assessment, an SGO assessment, or both. If the court has directed a specific form (Form C, Form K, or Form F), name it. If a viability assessment has already been completed, include it in the bundle so I can build on that work rather than covering the same ground again.
If there are specific concerns the court wants addressed, whether that's a particular risk factor, a safeguarding issue, or a question about the proposed carer's capacity to manage contact, make them explicit in the LOI. I'd rather have a detailed instruction that tells me exactly what the court is asking than a vague one that leaves me guessing. I'm always happy to discuss scope before accepting an instruction, and I can provide an assessment plan within two business days of receiving the bundle.