Our 2022 annual survey has now closed for responses (as of Monday 8 August). A huge thank you to the 1500+ kinship carers who completed the survey this year – we are incredibly grateful for the time, experiences and expertise you have shared. We plan to share findings from the survey in the autumn. You can keep up to date with this by joining our Kinship community.
This year’s survey will help us learn more about what challenges kinship families across England and Wales are facing and understand how we and other organisations, as well as the government and local authorities, can better support you and your family.
Last year’s annual survey heard from 1,651 kinship carers caring for 2,538 children. This year’s survey includes some similar and some new questions to build on last year’s findings. It will take you about 15 minutes to complete, is completely confidential, and will remain open until Monday 8 August 2022.
How your survey responses help us to campaign for change
Evidence is really important as it allows us to make a strong case to decision makers about the need to better support all kinship families. Very little information is collected about kinship families, and it rests on us to do this and make sure kinship carers and their children don’t remain invisible.
A couple of weeks ago, we published our 2022 financial allowances survey which highlighted how the increasing cost of living is impacting on kinship families across England and Wales. Your responses helped us to secure unprecedented media coverage which significantly boosted awareness of kinship care amongst the public and put pressure on the Government to act.
Our key messages and the voices of kinship carers themselves featured in a huge range of national and local TV, radio and online pieces, including on BBC Breakfast, BBC News, BBC Radio 4 and 5Live, and in The Metro and the Evening Standard. That’s hundreds of thousands of people gaining a better understanding of kinship care.
And just last week, in a speech in Parliament, Munira Wilson MP highlighted key findings from our report to make the case to government to improve support for kinship carers, including the provision of a weekly financial allowance and paid leave from employment like that given to adopters.
What you tell us through our surveys is making a real difference. By responding to our surveys, you join together with hundreds of other kinship carers to highlight the challenges facing kinship families and move us closer to securing the changes needed. Each response counts, and so we’re incredibly grateful for your time and support.
The responses to our 2022 annual survey will help us launch our national campaign together with kinship carers later in the year. This aims to boost awareness and understanding of kinship care and secure real policy change for kinship families across England and Wales. In the meantime, you can learn more about our campaigns or join our Kinship community.
