# Kinship: Kinship \- the charity for kinship carers

> We are the kinship care charity\. For all kinship carers, special guardians and anyone looking after a relative or friend's child full time\.

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## Pages
- [Briefings, responses and submissions](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/briefings-responses-and-submissions/): Stay informed with Kinship's latest briefings and responses\. See how we represent kinship carers in consultations and provide insights to shape policy decisions\.
- [Kinship Care Week 2026](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/kinship-care-week/kinship-care-week-2026/): We have launched our new documentary photography series \- Unplanned, Unprepared, Unwavering’ \- for Kinship Care Week 2026\. Seven families, seven stories, one shared reality\.
- [We are Kinship](https://kinship.org.uk/): Our homepage\. Find out all about who we are, what we do and what support we offer kinship carers in England and Wales\.
- [Campaign Champions](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/campaign-champions/): Find out more about our Campaign Champions who are kinship carers taking action to make the lives of kinship families better\.
- [Careers at Kinship](https://kinship.org.uk/about/careers-at-kinship/): We’re looking for amazing people to support our vision of a society in which kinship carers and the children they care for are recognised, valued and supported\. Browse our current vacancies\.

## Posts
- [Coalition of major UK employers calls on Business Secretary to introduce paid leave for kinship carers](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/coalition-of-major-uk-employers-calls-on-business-secretary-to-introduce-paid-leave-for-kinship-carers/): In an open letter to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, ministers are urged to close what they describe as a significant gap in employment rights that leaves kinship carers without access to paid leave when they take on the care of a child\.
- [Relatives given just minutes to keep children out of care, then left without support](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/relatives-given-just-minutes/): New research published by Kinship for Kinship Care Week \(5\-11 October\) reveals that more than seven in ten kinship carers have little or no time to prepare before taking on the care of a relative's child\. Among those, 6 in 10 had just minutes or hours to decide\.
- [New funding from BBC Children in Need to support kinship children](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/new-funding-from-bbc-children-in-need-to-support-kinship-children/): We're delighted to share that BBC Children in Need is continuing to support Kinship's work with children and young people growing up in kinship care\.
- [Strengthening support for kinship families in Scotland](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/kinship-families-in-scotland/): Kinship is delighted to announce our partnership with Inspiring Scotland to strengthen support for kinship families in West Dunbartonshire – our first step into delivering direct support to kinship families in Scotland\. 
- [Cwmbran mum's 150km fundraiser for Kinship](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/cwmbran-mums-150km-fundraising-run/): Kinship carer Shannon, 30, from Cwmbran is running 150 km throughout July for Kinship in memory of her mother who died 10 years ago from a brain aneurysm\.

## Zoom Workshop
- [Managing challenging behaviour with children in kinship care](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/workshops/managing-challenging-behaviour-270127/): Learn about ways you might encounter challenging behaviour in children you’re caring for, and how to deal with it sensitively but decisively\.
- [Masterclass: Navigating the Family Court](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/workshops/masterclass-navigating-family-court/): Learn about the practical and emotional aspects of navigating the family court as a kinship carer\.
- [Financial support for kinship families workshop](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/workshops/financial-support-25022027/): This free online workshop will give you helpful information about financial support you may be able to get as a kinship carer\.
- [Working with your local authority children’s services workshop](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/workshops/local-authority-childrens-services-24022027/): This free online workshop will give you helpful information about working with your local authority children's services\.
- [Raising someone else’s child: an introduction to kinship care workshop](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/workshops/intro-to-kinship-care-08022027/): Learn about different types of kinship care, parental responsibility and what your arrangement means for the decisions you can make\.

## Peer Support Groups
- [Salford Kinship Group](https://kinship.org.uk/groups/salford-kinship-group/): This group is run by a kinship carer and is open to all kinship carers in the Salford area\. Join us to meet other kinship carers in your area, and listen and share with others who understand\. 
- [Wolverhampton Kinship Carers](https://kinship.org.uk/groups/wolverhampton-kinship-carers/): This group is led by kinship carers and is open to all kinship carers in the Wolverhampton area\.
- [St Austell Kinship Care Group](https://kinship.org.uk/groups/st-austell-kinship-care-group/)
- [Roots Carers Group](https://kinship.org.uk/groups/roots-carers-group/): This group is run by kinship carers and supported by Roots staff for kinship carers to come together and share experiences
- [Dudley Kinship Carers](https://kinship.org.uk/groups/dudley-kinship-carers/): We are currently looking to restart this group\. Please send enquiries to Lisa using the details below\.

## Advice and Information
- [Benefits for young people aged 16 and 17](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/benefits-for-16-and-17-year-olds/): If you are a kinship carer to a 16\- or 17\-year\-old, find out how they might be able to claim Universal Credit\. 
- [Understanding the Children Act 1989](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/understanding-the-children-act-1989/): Learn the relevant sections of the Children Act 1989 and how they affect kinship care\.
- [Informal kinship care arrangements](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/informal-kinship-care-arrangements/): Information on informal kinship care arrangements, including how you become an informal kinship carer and available support\.
- [Going to court](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/going-to-court/): If you are a kinship carer going to court, know how to prepare and what to expect\.
- [How to represent yourself in court](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/how-to-represent-yourself-in-court/): If you've decided to represent yourself in court as a litigant in person, this page provides an overview of the application process and what you need to prepare\. 

## Resources
- [Section 1D: How Kinship can support you to start a group](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/peer-support-library/how-kinship-can-support-you-to-start-a-group/): Our friendly Kinship team can help you with practical support to get your kinship peer support group up and running\. From training to advice and more\. 
- [Section 4D: Thinking about choice and control in your peer support group](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/peer-support-library/choice-and-control-in-your-peer-support-group/): As a group leader, you are starting a group to bring kinship carers together\. It’s important that everyone attending has choice and control with how they take part in the group\.
- [Section 4C: How to manage conversations and get everyone involved in your peer support group](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/peer-support-library/section-4c-how-to-manage-conversations-and-get-everyone-involved-in-your-peer-support-group/): Getting conversation flowing between group members can be hard sometimes\. You want to offer somewhere members can feel comfortable sharing\. This section shares some tips and tools to help you create the right environment\.
- [Section 4B: Group agreements and how they can help your kinship peer support group](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/peer-support-library/group-agreements-how-they-can-help-your-group/): A group agreement can be a great tool to bring your group together, creating shared values and building trust\.
- [Section 4A: Running your peer support group – tools and tips](https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/peer-support-library/the-group-has-started-running-your-peer-support-group/): In this section we’ll explore practical tools and resources to help you run your group\. Kinship carers will now be coming together regularly because you created the space\.

## Events
- [Managing contact for family members workshop: Darlington](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/managing-contact-workshop-darlington/): Learn ways to create contact experiences that keep family relationships positive\.
- [Understanding the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on kinship families workshop: Croydon](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/drug-and-alcohol-misuse-croydon/): Learn about drug and alcohol misuse, how it can present itself, and the impact it can have on children raised in kinship care and their families\.
- [Kinship Roadshow Leicester](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/kinship-roadshow-leicester-2026/): Join our Leicester Roadshow to connect with other carers, share experiences and get vital information to help you make the right choices for you\.
- [Managing challenging behaviour with children in kinship care workshop: Croydon](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/managing-challenging-behaviour-with-children-in-kinship-care-workshop-croydon/): Learn about ways you might encounter challenging behaviour in children you’re caring for, and how to deal with it sensitively but decisively\.
- [Understanding fetal alcohol spectrum disorder \(FASD\) workshop: Coventry](https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/training-and-events/understanding-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd-workshop-coventry/): Learn about FASD, what it is, how it can present itself and how you can support children in your care who are showing symptoms or have been diagnosed with FASD\.

## Stories
- [Meet Alan and Julie](https://kinship.org.uk/what-is-kinship-care/stories/meet-alan-and-julie/): Alan and Julie said yes immediately to becoming kinship carers but nothing could have prepared them for the challenges they would have to face to ensure their granddaughter, Ella who has additional needs, received the support that she needed\.
- [Meet Rod and Julie](https://kinship.org.uk/what-is-kinship-care/stories/meet-rod-and-julie/)
- [Meet Oly and Leasa](https://kinship.org.uk/what-is-kinship-care/stories/meet-oly-and-leasa/)
- [Meet Clive](https://kinship.org.uk/what-is-kinship-care/stories/meet-clive/): Clive realised he had no time to prepare practically and very little time to process emotionally how completely his life was about to change\.
- [Kinship carer to her two grandchildren](https://kinship.org.uk/what-is-kinship-care/stories/marions-story/): Marion is a kinship carer to her two grandchildren \(8 and 12\)\.

## Reports and publications
- [Forgotten: Support for kinship children’s education and mental health](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/reports-and-publications/forgotten-report/): Children in kinship care have been overlooked\. Our report explores insights from our 2023 survey to understand how we can improve support for kinship children in England and Wales across education, SEND/ALN, mental health and family relationships\.
- [Information pack for MPs](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/reports-and-publications/mp-info-pack/): Our information pack for MPs covers everything you need to know to support kinship families in Parliament and your constituency\. 
- [Designing a new right to paid leave for kinship carers](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/reports-and-publications/designing-a-new-right/): Read our proposals for a new right to paid leave for kinship carers, designed alongside kinship carers and workplace leaders, to inform the government's parental leave and pay review\.
- [Handle With Care: Annual survey of kinship carers 2025](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/reports-and-publications/handle-with-care/): Published ahead of Kinship Care Week 2025, Handle With Care shares key findings from our 2025 annual survey of more than 1,900 kinship carers to provide an updated ‘state of the nation’ overview of kinship families and the current policy context\. 
- [Making work pay for kinship carers](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/reports-and-publications/making-work-pay-for-kinship-carers/): Our new research reveals how poor employment support is pushing kinship carers out of the labour market unnecessarily – and keeping them there\.

## Kinship care policy tracker
- [Financial allowances](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/policy-tracker/financial-allowances/): The government has launched 7 new 'Kinship Zones' which are piloting equalised financial allowances for some kinship carers\.
- [Information, training and support for kinship carers](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/policy-tracker/training-and-support-for-kinship-carers/): Kinship is delivering DfE\-funded national training and support services, and there are some signs of improving local authority information and support\.
- [Local authority practice](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/policy-tracker/improving-local-authority-practice/): Local authorities are responding to updated statutory guidance and Kinship National Standards, and Ofsted has proposed a new inspection framework\. 
- [Family justice and legal aid](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/policy-tracker/family-justice-and-legal-aid/): There are no plans to extend legal aid for kinship carers\. A family justice strategy is due imminently and the Law Commission has published provisional proposals\. 
- [Engaging and supporting family networks](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/policy-and-influencing/policy-tracker/engaging-and-supporting-family-networks/): Family network support packages \(FNSPs\) are being embedded in Families First practice alongside a legal duty to offer family group decision making \(FGDM\)\.

## Categories
- [2025](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/category/2025/)
- [2023](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/category/2023/)
- [2024](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/category/2024/)
- [2022](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/category/2022/)
- [2026](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/category/2026/)

## Tags
- [kinship carers in wales](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/tag/kinship-carers-in-wales/)

## Advice Content Topic
- [Relationships and parenting](https://kinship.org.uk/advice-topic/relationships/)
- [Death and bereavement](https://kinship.org.uk/advice-topic/death-and-bereavement/)
- [Your rights](https://kinship.org.uk/advice-topic/your-rights/)
- [Health and wellbeing](https://kinship.org.uk/advice-topic/health-and-wellbeing/)
- [Contact time with family](https://kinship.org.uk/advice-topic/contact-time-with-family/)

## Case Studies
- [Kinship Carer](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/case_study/kinship-carer/)
- [Professionals](https://kinship.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/news/case_study/professionals/)

## Optional
- [Sitemap index](https://kinship.org.uk/sitemap_index.xml)