Policy and influencing

Kinship works collaboratively with kinship families, researchers, professionals, decision makers and other partners to influence national and local policy making across England and Wales. Our unique reach allows us to listen to the views and expertise of thousands of kinship carers each year, and we campaign alongside them to deliver the changes they want to see most for their families.

Read our latest reports

Our surveys of kinship carers are the largest of their kind, and alongside the insights from our advice and support work, enable us to make a compelling argument for policy and practice change. View our most recent reports below or take a look at all of our research and reports.

Our policy resources

Kinship care policy tracker

Keep up to date with what’s happening now, our verdict, and what we think should happen next across kinship care policy in England.

Visit the tracker

Kinship care constituency map

Learn more about the number of kinship children and the prevalence of kinship care in your local area, and the key challenges facing kinship carers in your region.

View the map
Helen Hayes - then shadow children's Minister supporting the #ValueOurLove campaign

Information pack for MPs

Find out how you can support kinship families in Parliament and your constituency, and learn more about the #ValueOurLove campaign and what we want to see from the UK Government.

View the pack
Two women standing in front of the Houses of Parliament, holding a sign that says

#ValueOurLove manifesto

See our three step plan outlining how the new UK Government should maintain the momentum, deliver urgent support, and build a new kinship care system.

Read our manifesto

Briefings, responses and submissions

We regularly share timely briefings ahead of parliamentary debates and other key events, and work alongside kinship carers to respond effectively to consultations which share our evidence and insight.

View all briefings, responses and submissions
A group of Kinship campaigners standing outside Parliament holding placards that say

Understand more about kinship care

Meet Joy, a kinship carer, and learn more about her experience of being a kinship carer.

  • More than 141,000 children are in kinship care in England and Wales

  • Only 54% of children in kinship care are getting the support they need in education

  • More than 1 in 8 kinship carers were concerned they might have to stop caring for their kinship children

Campaign for change

We campaign to make the lives of kinship families better, but we can’t do it without you. Join us as we campaign together for all kinship carers and the children they love.

Stay up to date

Join one of our networks to stay up to date with our policy work in England and Wales.

Professionals' Network

Our professionals' network is for social workers, academics and other professionals with an interest in kinship care.

Join our Professionals Network

Researchers’ Network

Join our Researchers’ Network to stay updated with the latest research into kinship care and meet others working in this area.

Join our Researchers’ Network