A short survey was developed using Form Assembly software. The survey was live between 18 February 2021 and 15 March 2021 and was promoted via Kinship’s kinship carer community and services, website and social media, and through networks and partner organisations. The survey asked separate questions about each kinship child the kinship carer cared for. Data gathered included information about the legal status of each child, and the allowance the kinship carers received per child. Family and friends foster carers were not included in the survey as they are legally entitled to the national minimum fostering allowance.
There were 1,948 respondents to the survey who were caring for 2,808 children, which makes this the biggest survey of kinship carers in the UK. This high response rate indicates the importance of financial issues to kinship carers.
Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. The numbers used in the findings related to either the number of kinship carers or the number of children they were caring for, depending on the question. Not all respondents answered all questions and where this is the case, the number of respondents who answered is identified.
Limitations
Although every attempt was made to share this survey widely, it is likely that it was completed by kinship carers who are aware of Kinship and other organisations offering support. Therefore, it is possible the respondents to this survey would be more likely to be receiving financial support and the findings would reflect this.
If you are affected by the issues raised in this report, please access our support service here, or find out more via our online information and advice.
