Advice for the festive period

Learn more about how to understand and manage challenging behaviour in kinship children you care for.

Learn how emotional and mental health issues might affect kinship children. Understand how to discuss them, and recognise the impact of trauma.

Learn about life story work – what it is, when to consider it, techniques to carry it out (and get support), as well as how it can help kinship children build a positive self-image.

Organisations that provide specialist support and advice relevant to kinship care.

This page explores how to recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma, as well as practical tips for supporting children in kinship care.

Tools and techniques to help the child you care for to learn how to self-soothe and regulate their emotions in a healthy way.

Anxiety is a normal human emotion. But having too much anxiety can cause issues. Here are some practical tips to spot, manage and get support with anxiety.

Information on help available with school costs, including who might get help with school uniform costs and free school meals.

Find out what help is available to help you cope with rising energy bills.

Find out what to do if you are worried about a child's safety or welfare.

Benefit support called Bereavement Support Payment, which kinship carers could claim if a partner has died.

Information and links to specialist support on how to manage debt and get financial help as a kinship carer.

Information and advice on the types of financial support available to kinship carers with a special guardianship order.

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 support a child and help them get ready for a positive experience when spending contact time with family.

How to plan and organise contact time with family to reduce stress and make it a positive experience for the child.

Learn what contact time with family is and how you can make it a positive experience for a child.

Learn the practical steps you need to take and find links to more advice and support for after a death.

Stress is a common experience for kinship carers, who often face unique challenges in caring for children who have been through difficult experiences. Here is how to recognise the signs of stress and some practical tips for managing it effectively.