Strengthening support for kinship families in Scotland
13 July 2026
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.
In a new initiative funded by the National Lottery UK Fund, this unique partnership brings together Kinship’s evidence-based Kinship Connected navigator programme alongside Inspiring Scotland’s established Intandem mentoring programme for children in kinship care, to trial delivery of these two programmes together for the first time – providing support directly both to children in kinship care and their kinship carers.
We know that the best support for kinship families comes from organisations working together to build on the strength of collaboration and shared expertise. Our partnership brings together Kinship’s evidence- based approach and extensive experience of supporting kinship families across England and Wales, with Inspiring Scotland’s deep knowledge of local kinship care communities in Scotland and their established mentoring approach through programmes like Intandem. We will generate valuable learning about what works for kinship families in different contexts, helping to strengthen practice and inform provision of support.
Together with local partners and statutory services, we are building on evidence of what already works to make sure kinship families can access the right support, at the right time, in a way that feels joined up and responsive to the whole family’s needs.
It is estimated that 12,800 children are being raised in kinship care in Scotland. Recent Scottish Government figures show that kinship care is the most common form of care experience for young people, making up 35% of those looked after away from home. As a result, this new initiative is responding to the increasing demand for support for both young people growing up in kinship care and their carers.
A proven model of support
Kinship already supports kinship carers across Scotland through information available on our website, and we’re now excited to be bringing our Kinship Connected navigator model to Scotland for the first time, working in partnership to adapt and strengthen it for the communities it serves.
Kinship Connected is the UK’s most developed and evidence-based kinship navigator model, designed around what kinship families tell us they need most.
At its heart is the Kinship Navigator – a single, trusted point of contact who walks alongside kinship families, offering support tailored to their individual circumstances. Navigators help carers understand their rights, access services and financial support, and feel more confident and less alone in their role. They also work across services, strengthening links between the voluntary sector and statutory partners so that support feels coordinated rather than fragmented.
This kind of early, preventative support can make a vital difference, helping reduce pressure on families and lowering the risk of placements breaking down, so children can grow up in stable, loving homes.
Our navigator model is grounded in lived experience and continues to be strengthened by growing evidence. Kinship is currently working with Foundations – What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care to demonstrate the impact of our Kinship Connected navigator programmes through a pilot randomised control trial, reflecting our commitment to building robust evidence about what works for kinship families and driving long-term change across the system.
Providing whole-family support
In West Dunbartonshire, the Kinship Navigator will be based within the Y Sort it hub (a local community youth project supporting young people in the area) and will work across communities, complementing existing support including the Intandem mentoring programme for young people which Y Sort it will be delivering.
By aligning Kinship Connected with established local services, this partnership will strengthen what is already in place, creating a more joined-up system that supports both kinship carers and the children and young people they care for. This builds on Kinship’s wider work with children and young people growing up in kinship care, recognising that whole-family support is essential to improving outcomes.
Lucy Peake, Kinship Chief Executive, said: “We know that kinship carers often step in at a moment of crisis and take on huge responsibilities, often without the support they need. Our Kinship Connected navigator programme is making sure kinship families have a single, trusted person to turn to. Someone who can help them navigate complex systems, access the right support and feel less alone.
“What makes this approach especially powerful is the way it enables us to support kinship carers and their children directly – combining trusted relationships, practical help and consistent support around the whole family. We’re delighted to be working with Inspiring Scotland and local partners in West Dunbartonshire, building on the strong foundations already in place. Our approach is rooted in collaboration to ensure kinship families in the area get the support and stability they need and deserve.”
Celia Tennant, Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted that the National Lottery Community Fund grant has enabled this exciting collaboration between Kinship, Ysortit and Inspiring Scotland. The Fund’s focus on work across multiple UK nations has created an opportunity to intentionally bring together work that is already making a difference across parts of the UK, building on and enabling us to strengthen and scale our Intandem mentoring support for young people in kinship care.
“Building on the support and expertise already available in West Dunbartonshire, this partnership aims to strengthen and complement existing services for young people in kinship care and their families. By bringing together the experience of local partners and national organisations, we hope to generate valuable learning and influence how systems better support kinship families in the future. We are committed to delivering lasting change in West Dunbartonshire whilst influencing wider change in Scotland and UK-wide.”
Gillian Kirkwood, Y sort it CEO, said: “We are looking forward to working alongside Kinship, bringing together our services to ensure young people growing up in kinship care and kinship carers are supported.
The introduction of the Kinship Navigator role within West Dunbartonshire will be a valuable addition, offering much-needed dedicated one-to-one support and guidance at a time when kinship families in the area need it most. By working together, we can provide more joined up support, and help ensure that kinship families receive the right support, at the right time.”
By combining our national expertise with strong local knowledge and relationships, we are committed to making sure kinship families in West Dunbartonshire feel seen, supported and valued – now and into the future.
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