What is Kinship care?

Kinship care refers to the practice of children being raised by relatives or close family friends (often referred to as “kin”) when their biological parents are unable to care for them. This arrangement can occur for various reasons, including parental illness, substance abuse, incarceration, neglect, or death. Kinship care can provide children with a sense of stability and continuity, as they remain connected to their family and cultural roots.

There are two main types of kinship care:

  1. Formal kinship care: This occurs when a child is placed with a relative through the child welfare or foster care system. The relative becomes a licensed foster parent and may receive financial support and other services to care for the child.
  2. Informal kinship care: This arrangement occurs without the involvement of child welfare agencies, where relatives take in the child privately, often without legal or financial assistance.

Click here for more details on types of The Kinship Care Charity

    The Virtual School's Role

    Following the publication of Championing Kinship Care, The National Strategy 2023, Virtual Schools should be:

    • Raising the visibility of the distinct needs of children in different types of kinship care arrangements and the disadvantage that they can experience.
    • Promoting practice that supports attendance and engagement in education.
    • Promoting practice that improves children in kinship care’s outcomes to narrow the attainment gap, so that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

    This will be an important step in helping more kinship carers to navigate the education system, in turn helping them to advocate for the educational achievement of their children. More children in kinship care will receive the help they need to thrive at school.

    A new Statutory Document was released in 2024 for Kinship: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670d3ed5e84ae1fd8592f2fa/Kinship_Care_-_statutory_guidance_for_local_authorities__October_2024.pdf#:~:text=This%20guidance%20sets%20out%20a%20framework%20for%20the,who%20are%20unable%20to%20live%20with%20their%20parents.

    Here in Nottingham City, we offer:

    • A dedicated Education Support Officer who is available to answer any questions, concerns or queries.
    • Signposting to training in relation to Kinship
    • Support for schools in identifying children who may be in Kinship arrangements.
    • Signposting to useful services and resources.
    • A range of resources available on our website to support those working with children in kinship care.

    Click here to download Nottingham City Virtual School’s kinship flyer

     

    Training sessions, events and support services for Kinship Carers

    Training sessions and events

    The Kinship Care Charity,  the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales, is available to provide support, advice and training for kinship carers, friends or family.  They have free workshops and training sessions to give you more information about kinship care.

    For more information and contact details for The Kinship Care Charity click here

    For details of The Kinship Care Charity training events for January to April 2025 click here

    If you are interested in their events and workshops visit Kinship: Home | The Kinship care charity | England and Wales to sign up.

    Look out for the The Kinship Care Charity Compass section on their website to find independent information, support and advice in your area.

     

    Support Services: 

    A few support services for Kinship carers:

    Kinship.org

    Adoption East Midlands is our regional service. Website has lots of support.

    Kinship Carers UK (part of the Parliamentary Taskforce)

    The Fostering Network: Fostering Kinship Support | The Fostering Network

    FRG.org: Family Rights Group. Kinship care – Family Rights Group

    PAC-UK – counselling and advice for adoption.

     

    The Kinship Care Charity Supportive videos:

    Video of string for kinship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IDYP3lrmvE

    Kinship Roadshow Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9CSqo7UyxM

    For Virtual School support with signposting and guidance please complete the form below: click here