Kinship Care Local Offer

What is Kinship Care?

Kinship care is when a child lives full-time or most of the time with a relative or close family friend, usually because their parents are not able to care for them. Grandparents are the most common kinship carers, but older siblings, aunts, uncles, and people who know the child well can also take on the role. There are different types of kinship care, with informal arrangements, Child Arrangements Orders, Special Guardianship, Family and Friends foster care and Private Fostering.

You might see kinship carers referred to as ‘family and friends carers’ or ‘connected people’

Kinship care arrangements come about because children are separated from their parents or their parents are unable to provide the care and support the child needs. Common reasons for children being in kinship care include parental drug or alcohol abuse, neglect, domestic violence or the death of a parent. The kinship arrangement may be permanent or temporary. Sometimes the arrangement is made by the local authority but more often it is arranged within the family network only. Sometimes these arrangements are identified through family group conferences 

What will social workers do?

Children, where possible, should remain within their family/personal networks. Families can provide joy, love and excellent quality of care. Sometimes families have found that there is a cost and sacrifice to caring for others. Social workers will connect kinship carers/prospective carers to local resources and ensure that the family is well supported, this will include City Advice at Toynbee Hall to ensure benefits are maximised. Email: city.advice@toynbeehall.org.uk

Further Information

See Related Links in the top right of this page and/or download one minute PDF guides below.