Family Link - short break service for disabled children
The application process
Step one: request for information
Make contact with the Family Link Team who will provide you with an information pack and an enquiry form for your completion if you decide to proceed with your application.
Step two: initial enquiry
When we receive your completed enquiry form, a Family Link Social Worker will contact you to arrange an appointment for an initial home visit.
Step three: initial visit
A social worker will visit you in your home to see your accommodation and to meet everyone in your household. You will be asked some basic information and questions about yourself, the people living with you, your current working arrangements, your availability, your experience of caring for children (including children with disabilities), and your reasons for applying to be a Family Link Carer. You will also be given the opportunity to discuss any queries you may have about the Southwark Family Link service and hear more about the assessment process. After your visit, the Social Worker will bring your case to the team and a decision is then made about you moving on to the next stage of the application process.
Step four: application form
At this stage, an application form will be sent to you which will request more detailed information, including:
- previous names
- previous addresses
- GP details
- personal and employee references
- household member information
Step five: reference checks
Having received your application form, we will complete checks with:
- your GP
- disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all adults over 18 in your household
- current and previous social services departments
- Ofsted
- your child's school if you have a child of school age
- the Probation and Youth Offending Service
- your previous employers
- your personal and family referees
The purpose of these checks is to make sure that we do not place children with people who may be a danger to them. These checks are government requirements. Minor criminal offences or problems in your past would not rule you out from being a carer, but more serious ones probably will.
Step six: assessment
A Social Worker will be allocated to carry out your assessment. This will happen whilst your reference checks are being completed. The assessing social worker makes several visits to you and your family over three to five months. You will be expected to discuss your significant life events, skills and experience. This will involve personal questions. You will be provided with feedback and support throughout and will be fully involved in your assessment. Other members of your household will also be interviewed. You'll need to be open and honest about yourself, your experiences, and your skills. This is also an opportunity for you to learn more about caring for a disabled child.
Step seven: training
You'll be required to attend two preparation sessions to look at the carer's role and responsibilities, disability issues and meet with other applicants. This is held on two separate Saturdays and all applicants are expected to attend the two days. The training covers areas such as working with the child’s family, safe caring, managing behaviour, understanding the health and emotional needs of disabled children and diversity. You will also be required to attend Saturday courses on safeguarding, safer caring and first aid within two years of your approval.
Step eight: fostering panel
The Social Worker assessing you will write a detailed report, which you have the opportunity to read and comment on. The report will be presented to the Fostering Panel. You will need to attend the panel meeting, this will be with the social worker who assessed you, and the Family Link Social Worker who will supervise you after your approval. The panel will ask questions about your assessment and make a recommendation, which will be verified by an agency decision maker. Your approval will be reviewed annually.
Page last updated: 27 September 2023
