Kinship care is a term used to describe a number of arrangements involving a person looking after a relative or friend's child full-time. It is sometimes called 'family and friends care'. Kinship care can be temporary or permanent, and on a formal (as an approved foster carer) or informal basis, depending on the carer's relationship to the child and the legal status of the child.
In December 2023, a new National Kinship Care Strategy was launched, setting out the government's plans to provide additional training, information and support (including peer support) to all kinship carers across England. This is the first ever National Kinship Care Strategy, which the government has said "will be backed by an investment of £16 million in 2024-5".
The strategy seeks to strengthen work to keep children within their families, and to provide a financial allowance, paid at the same rate as the foster care allowance, to special guardians. There will also be updated statutory guidance on kinship care, which will seek to improve consistency and raise standards.
If you have been asked to care for a friend or relative's child or have questions about a current arrangement, Fosterline can help you find out more information and direct you to additional sources of advice and support.
You can also speak to Kinship, a UK charity dedicated to supporting kinship carers.
