Short Term Approval

What is Short Term Approval?

Sometimes children coming into care are placed with family or friends.  This might be in an emergency.  When this happens, a social worker must visit the child within 24 hours, (72 hours if placed over the weekend). 

The social worker must check the child is safe and cared for.

If you are not already a foster carer, you will need short term approval.  This will allow you to care for the child. 

Short term approval is for 16 weeks.  We can ask for 8 more weeks if needed.

A social worker from our Kinship Team will visit you at home.

Safety Checks

Grandmother with two granddaughters

There are lots of things we need to know:

  • Who else lives in your house, adults and children.
  • Who visits your home and how often.
  • Your family link with the child and the child's birth parents.
  • About any children you care for now or have cared for in the past.
  • About your health, work and money.
  • What pets you have.
  • If you have ever been in trouble with the police.

The worker must talk to all the adults living with you.  They will also check the house and garden are safe.  They must see the child’s bedroom.

The social worker will ask you to:

  • Fill out an application form.
  • Fill out a DBS form. (All adults in the house must do one).
  • Arrange a medical with your GP.
  • Give us the names of 4 people who know you (references).

Decision:

The social worker will report back their findings to the Agency Decision Maker'.  The Agency Decision Maker decides the outcome.  

They may decide:

  • The child remains with you.  We will still need to carry out more checks
  • The child be placed in foster carer.  We will tell you why and give you your options.

Next page: Foster Care Approval

Kinship Care Assessment
Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on September 30th 2026
Page last updated
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