Campaigning kinship carers met Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston and urged him to join their campaign to help improve information and advice for kinship families throughout the area.
Kinship carers, typically grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters and friends, who step up to care for a child when their parents are unable to, want clear and easily accessible advice and support for family members and friends.
The group of kinship carers from Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton on Tees asked the Mayor to ensure that all kinship carers are able to access the information they need from the local authority, along with clear signposting to essential services and resources.
The campaign group said:
“Often kinship carers look after a child in times of crisis and having easy access to information and support is so important during what is often a very stressful and chaotic time.
“We asked the Mayor to help improve the information available, as this will empower existing and new kinship carers. The meeting went really well and we are hoping to build networks locally with Andy to create a new era for kinship care to support our kinship children.”
Kinship Chief Executive, Lucy Peake said:
“I’m delighted that the voices of our campaigning kinship carers are being listened to locally by those in power. Providing kinship families with clear and easy to access information is crucial. Without it they are left struggling to know what support and advice might be available to them.
“We’re committed to campaigning together with kinship carers in the North East and nationally to ensure more families get the financial, practical and emotional support they deserve. We won’t rest until all kinship families feel recognised, valued and supported by their local authorities and by the Government.”
(Pic caption left to right: Kinship carer campaigners Shirley, Juliat, Mayor Andy Preston, Michelle and John)
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About Kinship:
Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales. We offer kinship carers financial, legal, practical, and emotional support and understanding from the moment they need it, for as long as they need it. Our expert advice, information, and guidance help with complicated and stressful decisions that so many kinship families must make. We are always there to support them through difficult times and celebrate the good.
Kinship carers are strong and determined. Together, they are powerful. We help them build communities of support and action by connecting families locally and across England and Wales. We are at the heart of kinship networks, partnering with and influencing service providers, local and national government, and other organisations. We communicate directly with 8,000 kinship carers and 1,000 kinship care professionals. In 2020-21, our advice service advised 3,500 kinship carers. In 2022 we will be rolling out a new national peer support service, funded by the Department for Education, which will support kinship carers in every local authority in England.
Visit: Kinship.org.uk
Contact: 07984 600234
