For professionals:
Our support for kinship carers
Navigating an often complex and confusing system is difficult for kinship carers. With the right support they can thrive in their kinship caring role.
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Kinship carers have made the ultimate commitment. To step up and raise a child when a parent isn’t able to care for them. Often this commitment is made in a time of crisis – with little to no preparation.
Being a kinship carer is hugely rewarding, but it’s also tough. We’re here to offer support, advice and information and to connect kinship carers, so they feel empowered rather than isolated.
We know that you want the best for kinship carers too. Below are all the ways we provide advice, information and support. We hope this is useful to you when supporting kinship carers.
Here’s how Kinship supports kinship carers
Advice and information guides
There is so much to know about when you’re a kinship carer. From which benefits you can apply for, to navigating work and childcare, finding a school and how to support a child with anxiety. Our advice and information guides aim to help kinship carers find the information and support they need to help them on their kinship journey.
Advice Line
Being a kinship carer can be overwhelming. Our Kinship advice team are specialists in supporting kinship carers across England and Wales through our Advice Line. The system can be complex, and often confusing. We’ll help them through it – whatever stage they are at in their kinship carer journey.
Peer support groups
Our support groups are a great way for kinship carers to meet other kinship carers in their community. They are a safe and welcoming space to share experiences, exchange advice and get support.
With over 160 support groups across England and Wales, a community of kinship carers is never far away.
Someone Like Me service
We match kinship carers with other kinship carers, who are trained to provide emotional support, through our Someone like Me service. Through 3 phone calls, kinship carers can talk about any issues or difficulties they’re facing – and how they’re feeling. Our volunteers will listen, without judgement, offer understanding and provide emotional support.
Free events and workshops
We deliver free workshops and events in England for new kinship carers as well as those who have been a kinship carer for years. Events take place both online and in-person. As well as getting advice, tips and practical tools, attendees also get to connect with other kinship carers and build support systems.
Kinship Compass
Kinship Compass is an interactive tool which helps kinship carers to navigate and find independent information, support and advice to guide them in their caring role, at a local and national level, using a postcode search.
You can also use the tool to discover support in a kinship carers local area. Including their virtual school contact details, local legal clinics, food banks and more.