A new report from Kinship, reveals the shocking daily sacrifices made by cash-strapped kinship carers, including grandparents and single kinship carers who step up to raise more than 141,000 children in England and Wales when their parents can’t.
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.
This week, 6 to 12 October, is Kinship Care Week 2025 - a national week of awareness, recognition and celebration.
Let’s commit to change for kinship families.
Get support and advice
Watch our film ‘In the same boat’
Watch our new short film ‘In the same boat’ about Kelly’s kinship care journey – from feeling isolated to finding a community of kinship carers locally.
In hard times a sense of community can be the hand on the shoulder that gives kinship carers the emotional reassurance they need to keep going.
If you are a kinship carer, join our Kinship Community now.
Kinship’s Radio 4 charity appeal is now live on the BBC Website
During Kinship Care Week 2025 we’re delighted that actor Jay Kontzle, who was raised by his grandparents, is making an appeal for donations to Kinship on BBC Radio 4. Jay shares some of his own story and the journey of kinship carers Annie and Steve and their nephew George.
You can listen and donate now* through the BBC Radio 4 Appeal webpage
*Online donations close at 11:59pm on Saturday 11 October.
Join us at a Kinship Roadshow
You might have heard about our Kinship Roadshows, but what’s it like to attend one, and what should you expect? Watch as we follow Kieron, a kinship carer to his 3 grandchildren, as he attends a Kinship Roadshow for the first time.
We have a number of free roadshows coming up across England. Sign up now for a chance to connect, share, and discover support in a welcoming space.
Other upcoming training and events
As well as our roadshows, we run lots of free workshops for kinship carers, both in person and online. These cover a range of subjects to offer support for every step of your journey. See all upcoming workshops on:
Watch our Young Champions' animation
We’re so excited to share this new animated film about growing up in kinship care.
Written and voiced by young people in kinship care, the film explores what life is like in a kinship family. It was created as part of our Young Champions project, funded by BBC Children in Need.
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.
Latest news and highlights
Take a look at some of our latest news and highlights from across Kinship.
Emmerdale actor Jay Kontzle is set to present Kinship's BBC Radio 4 appeal to raise vital funds for kinship carers during Kinship Care Week 2025.
The new Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister MP, met with kinship carers for the first time in his new role this week.
Find out how we're campaigning for change
Kinship care has been undervalued for too long. Research shows that kinship carers contribute £4.3 billion to the economy per year. Yet many are struggling to make ends meet. We think that’s not fair.
That’s why we’re calling on the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to give all kinship carers the financial support they need.
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.
Join our community
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