Kinship Compass

Information, services and support near Bath and North East Somerset Council

On this page

Select a link below to take you to the section you'd like to read:

  1. Support groups near you
  2. Workshops and events near you
  3. Support from your local authority
  4. Family and friends care policy
  5. Financial allowances policy
  6. Your virtual school information
  7. Your nearest free legal clinic
  8. Foodbanks near you
  9. Adoption and special guardianship support fund

We try and keep these resources up to date, if you spot something which needs updating do let us know.

  • 325In Bath and North East Somerset, it is estimated that there are 325* kinship carers. You are not alone, and these services are there to support you.

    * Office for National Statistics - 2021 Census

Support groups near you (3)

Whether it’s a shared cup of tea, or a shoulder to cry on, support groups create an invaluable space to connect, learn and share with others in a similar situation.

There are over 150 support groups in England, below is your nearest in-person group. We also offer online peer support groups, find out more about these on our support group page. If there isn’t a group near you, and you’d like to set one up, find out how we can support you.

Bath Kinship Group

South West England
In person

This group is led by Kinship staff and open to all kinship carers aged 18 and over in the Bath area. Our group provides a friendly and confidential space for kinship carers to share experiences and get support

View Bath Kinship Group

View other support groups near you

View all support groups

Workshops and events near you (3)

Kinship carers tell us their journey can be overwhelming and confusing. To help you navigate this complex system, we run workshops and events both online and in-person. Each session provides an opportunity to learn, connect with other kinship carers and understand more about how Kinship can support you. We add events throughout the year, check our events regularly for updates or join our community to keep up to date.

We also offer online workshops on a range of topics, from an introduction to kinship care to managing contact.

View all workshops and events

Support from your local authority

Your local authority children's services may work with you and your family depending on the type of kinship care arrangement you have. We've shared some of the key details of support available in Bath and North East Somerset Council, which you may need as you navigate your journey.

Family Placement Team

You can find more about the support available for children, young people and families on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.

If this information is incorrect, please contact us.

Your family and friends care policy

A family and friends care policy is a policy that sets out a local authority's approach towards promoting and supporting the needs of children who are being brought up in kinship care. Each local authority with responsibility for children's services is required to have a policy.

Read the family and friends' policy for kinship carers in Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Your local authority financial allowances policy

Local authorities must identify how family and friends carers are made aware of financial support, this might be in the family and friends care policy or in a separate policy.

In Bath and North East Somerset Council, Financial allowances information is shared on pages 11 -16 of the family and friends care policy.

Your virtual school

Each local authority has a virtual school. The role of the virtual school is to give information to parents and schools about the needs and educational progress of children who are looked after, previously looked or who have a social worker. The service ensures these children are given the best education and have the best educational outcomes.

They can provide advice to individual kinship carers of children who are subject to special guardianship orders or child arrangement orders, and schools where they have a query and permission has been given.

Find out more about how virtual schools should work with you as a kinship carer.

Other services

Kinship carers have told us about other support services that might be helpful in their local community.

Legal clinics can offer free advice and information usually in the form of a 30 to 60 minute appointment. Eligibility to use a clinic can depend on geographic location and the type of advice you’re looking for. Find out more about each legal clinic listed by visiting their website.

Specialist areas: Child, Consumer, Crime, Data protection, Domestic Violence, Education, Employment, Environmental, Family, Health and Safety, Housing, Property, Personal injury

Opening times: Wednesday - Friday, 10.00am-4.30pm

Who can access: For students and staff of University only

For other sources of legal support, read our page on legal help for kinship carers.

Your nearest foodbank

Food banks provide emergency food and support to people and families facing hardship. Your nearest foodbanks are listed below.

Data supplied by Give Food.

Adoption and special guardianship support fund

Did you know you might be eligible for support from the adoption and special guardianship support fund? The fund can help you pay for essential therapeutic services, such as creative therapies, life story work, family therapy and therapeutic short breaks.

Find out more about the adoption and special guardianship support fund

Information and advice

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