Jump to:
Kinship care and experiences of poverty are inextricably linked. Kinship families more likely to live in deprived areas and kinship carers more likely to have lower incomes than any other group raising children[1], and kinship households are more likely to include people who are economically inactive and to be deprived across all measures: employment, education, health and disability, and housing.[2] The ongoing costs of caring for a child and lack of financial and employment support for kinship carers compounds this and results in too many families experiencing chronic financial insecurity.
Last year, 6 in 10 kinship carers told us they’d borrowed money, taken out a short-term loan or used credit cards for everyday purchases, and 4 in 10 reported skipping meals, using food banks or buying less food.[3] This turbulence has lasting impacts beyond just kinship carers’ ability to pay the bills, generating ongoing worry and stress and limiting opportunities for children, despite kinship carers’ efforts to insulate them as best they can.[4]
Kinship carers’ precarious financial positions are intensified by the struggles they have maintaining and securing employment, owing particularly to the lack of employment support for kinship carers. Our Forced Out report, published earlier this year, highlights how a lack of paid leave and other support for kinship carers in the workplace is resulting in significant unemployment and underemployment for kinship carers, making them more likely to fall into poverty and preventing them from re-entering the labour market to boost their household income.
In this year’s survey, we wanted to get an up-to-date picture of how kinship families were managing the ongoing cost of living crisis in comparison to other groups.
Cost of living
When asked about how they were managing financially these days, 13% of survey respondents said they were ‘finding it very difficult’, and a further 19% were ‘finding it quite difficult’. This is significantly higher than in the general population at 2% and 4% respectively. Put another way, only 4% of kinship carers who responded to our survey said they were ‘living comfortably’ compared to nearly one third (31%) of the general population.[5]
Kinship carers spoke at length about the significant financial sacrifices they’d had to make in order to care for their kinship child (or children). Many felt upset or ashamed about not being able to fund children’s hobbies and interests or take them for days out. As in previous surveys, kinship carers were clear about the extreme lengths they often went to in order to protect spending on their children.
“Myself and my husband not eating properly, and not replacing VERY worn clothing. It’s embarrassing. I feel humiliated when I have to keep wearing the same 4 t-shirts in rotation. But my granddaughter’s needs always come first. She will eat and her special needs must be met.”
Grandparent with an informal arrangement
“Can’t go on holiday, can’t buy clothes for myself, don’t go out for entertainment or meals, can’t repair the house, just can’t spend any money that isn’t on her.”
Family friend kinship carer with a child arrangements or residence order
More than 2 in 5 respondents (41%) said they felt they couldn’t always meet their child’s needs in their current financial situation, and a further 8% didn’t know. This rose to nearly half (49%) for the cohort of kinship carers who were caring for their kinship child (or children) on their own, and fell to 35% for those caring alongside a partner or spouse.
“We have no money I can’t take her on days out I feel very sad for her. I can’t financially give her what she deserves. I asked the children services to help me with her uniform for high school. They sent me a link for second hand uniforms.”
Grandparent with an informal arrangement
“With the continued cost of living crisis I fear I will not be able to continue to financially support my granddaughters needs.”
Grandparent with an informal arrangement
Some kinship families are at breaking point, and our evidence suggests the cost of living crisis is continuing to impact particularly hard on kinship families. 7% of respondents said they were behind on their rent or mortgage payments. Again, this is higher than found in other cohorts found in recent ONS population surveys, including 4% for adults aged 30 to 69 and 3% for households with at least one adult and 1 or 2 children.[6]
It was also particularly high for certain areas of the country where housing costs likely reflect a much greater proportion of overall household expenditure: nearly 1 in 5 respondents (18%) from Greater London said they were behind on rent or mortgage payments. As a result of being unable to maintain their rent or mortgage payments, more than 2 in 5 (42%) said they feared losing their home.
“Mortgage has gone up massively, along with everything else. My husband has struggled with his mental health and money (lack of) is the main trigger.”
Great aunt and family and friends foster carer
“No financial support, getting into debt and cannot afford the rent any longer.”
Grandparent with an informal arrangement
“I’m financially crippled and going to court next week for house possession proceedings due to rent arrears.”
Grandparent with unknown arrangement
“With our mortgage increasing I may have to go back into full time employment otherwise we could lose our home… sadly I would not be able to look after my grandson.”
Grandparent and special guardian
1 in 10 respondents (10%) said their household had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more within the last two weeks. Some kinship families are in desperate need and are struggling to afford even the basics.
1 in 10
said their household had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more within the last two weeks.
Once again, this illustrates a higher level of financial insecurity than other cohorts; the comparable figure for a representative sample of the general population asked across February to May 2023 was 5%, or 8% when comparing to households with at least one adult and 1 or 2 children.
“Gave up the car as living on state pension now and really struggling. Had to ask 95 year old father for help just for food some weeks this summer.”
Grandparent with a child arrangements or residence order
“Cost of living is so high. Bills and food is ridiculously priced. This carry on [sic] I am worried I will lose my grandson through lack of money to survive.”
Grandparent and special guardian
“8 weeks [wait for Universal Credit] and it was far too long – had to get referred to a food bank by social worker twice.”
Grandparent with a child arrangements or residence order
Future reports in our 2023 annual survey series will explore the financial support – or lack thereof – provided to the kinship families, including financial allowances delivered by the local authority and the experience of those who have claimed additional support through Universal Credit or legacy benefits.
Looking for more?
Discover more reports, briefings and responses, and keep up to date by checking out our kinship care policy tracker.
