Kinship carers
10.—(1) A local authority may make a decision to approve a person mentioned in paragraph (2) as a suitable carer for a child who is looked after by that authority in terms of section 17(6) of the 1995 Act which carer shall be known as a “kinship carer”.
(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) are–
(a)a person who is related to the child; or
(b)a person who is known to the child and with whom the child has a pre existing relationship.
(3) Before making a decision under paragraph (1) the authority must–
(a)so far as reasonably practicable obtain and record in writing the information specified in Schedule 3; and
(b)taking into account that information, carry out an assessment of that person’s suitability to care for the child.
(4) In paragraph (2)(a) “related” means related to the child either by blood, marriage or civil partnership.