Read our response to the Government's Autumn Budget 2024, and find out more about the introduction of a trial kinship allowance in England.
We are Kinship
The leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We’re here for kinship carers – friends or family who step up to raise a child when their parents aren’t able to. Let’s commit to change for kinship families.
Get support and adviceLatest news and highlights
Take a look at some of our latest news and highlights from across Kinship.
Kinship has published the summary of a report into the experiences of kinship carers from Black and Asian communities, based on findings from a research project with the Rees Centre at Oxford University, supported by the KPMG Foundation.
The Secretary of State for Education said kinship carers "will not be forgotten by this Government" in front of an audience of over 170 people at a #ValueOurLove parliamentary reception.
Kinship Care Week 2024
From 7 to 13 October, we celebrated Kinship Care Week 2024, which is an important time to recognise the incredible role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society.
Watch our #ThisIsKinshipCare animation, launched during Kinship Care Week. Written and recorded by kinship carers, the film speaks to the joy, the warmth, the humour, the love, as well as the challenges of being a kinship family.
Kinship care in England and Wales
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More than 141,000 children are in kinship care in England and Wales
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Nearly 1 in 5 kinship carers feel lonely often or always
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More than 1/3 of kinship carers experienced an income drop of more than 50% after stepping up to take on the care of a child
Kinship Compass: find independent information, support and advice in your area
We know kinship care is complex and confusing. Use Kinship Compass to discover what support is available to you, both locally and nationally, to help you navigate your kinship journey.
Get information and expert advice
We provide information and advice on all issues affecting kinship carers. Browse our advice collections, take a look at some of our most popular advice articles below or contact our advice team for free, expert information and advice.
Find out how you become a kinship carer, and what to expect from the process.
Stepping up to raise a child can be expensive, and money worries are common for kinship carers. Find out what financial support and benefits are available to you.
How to plan and organise contact time with family to reduce stress and make it a positive experience for the child.
Talk to someone
Being a kinship carer is rewarding, but hard. We’re here for the good days and the bad days. For the ups and the downs. And everything in-between. Because we’re here for you.
Find your nearest peer support group
Peer support groups are a great way to meet other kinship carers, share your experiences and exchange advice. Find your nearest group.
View Find your nearest peer support groupSpeak to someone like you
Want to talk to someone who understands what you’re experiencing as a kinship carer? Our specially trained kinship carer volunteers are here to listen through our free Someone Like Me service.
View Speak to someone like youContact the Kinship advice team
Find out more about our advice service, how they can help, and how to get in touch with them.
View Contact the Kinship advice teamUpcoming events
We run a variety of in-person and online workshops and events to help kinship carers navigate a complex system. Below are some of our upcoming, in-person roadshow events.
Kinship Roadshow Nottingham
Join us in Nottingham on Tuesday 5 November to connect with other carers, share experiences and get vital information to help you make the right choices for you.
Find out moreKinship Roadshow Manchester
Join us in Manchester on Wednesday 4 December to connect with other carers, share experiences and get vital information to help you make the right choices for you.
Find out moreKinship Roadshow London
Join us in London on Monday 9 December to connect with other carers, share experiences and get vital information to help you make the right choices for you.
Find out more