Viability Assessments

On this page, you will find details of Viability Assessment and Family Assessment, as well as our Outreach Assessment and Family Support and the full range and details of other services available from the NFSS. At the NFSS we believe that our comprehensive range of services provides the most effective way of supporting families in crisis. We have a qualified and experienced staff team supported by the best out-sourced consultants available. Our key services are comprehensive in structure, however with such a wide background of experience and skills we are able to provide tailor-made services to address almost any social situation.

The NFSS is an organization that primarily provides assessment and support services to families. These services
are aimed at families where there are concerns expressed by professionals regarding the welfare of the children within the family unit. The outreach service is offered to families whose assessment needs will be best achieved whilst they remain in their own homes within their own communities. This is a valuable service as it involves minimum disruption for the family and is based in a real and relevant setting that can provide professionals with a genuine view of the parenting capabilities and reunification possibilities of the family.

This service provides support for children who are on the edge of care and who would benefit from additional support to help stabilize them within their own homes and families.

Viability Assessments

In some cases, it may be deemed necessary to carry out a viability assessment to first determine the feasibility of trying to place a child back into the care of a parent or family or determining the appropriateness of a child being placed with a family member. There may be reasons why a cautious approach needs to be taken, in which case a specific assessment and home support program may be recommended.

The Viability Assessment would take into account:

  1. The risks involved in trying to re-unify this family, with full consideration given to previous histories of all family members and anyone else living in the home.
  2. Routine and suitability of lifestyle of parents, giving consideration to known drug, alcohol abuses, as well as any other aspect of lifestyle which may be considered to be detrimental to the welfare of the child.
  3. The commitment of the parents, taking into account their intent and suitability to take care of the child giving full regard to the welfare checklist.
  4. The parent’s ability to adequately provide for the basic care needs of the child, giving consideration to any special needs of the child that may place extra burden on the family, stretching their capabilities.
  5. The length of time that the child has been outside of the family unit/parental care.
  6. The child’s current care arrangement, giving consideration to the areas of success and failure.
  7. The stability of the child’s current care arrangement.

Additional Support

At the conclusion of the assessment period, a full report will be promptly made available to the Local Authority, and subsequently when appropriate, to all of the agencies concerned in this particular matter. This report will be clear and specific in terms of recommendations and in keeping.