Reflections from our Kinship Knowledge Exchange on the kinship local offer

On Monday 16 June 2025, Kinship brought together local authorities and practitioners from across the country to discuss the kinship care local offer at our Knowledge Exchange event. Keynote speakers included the National Kinship Care Ambassador, Jahnine Davis; Emma Davies, Deputy Director of Adoption, Family Justice and Alternatives to Care at the Department for Education; and Kinship Chief Executive Lucy Peake. Attendees also heard from a range of other practitioners and local authorities.

Our Practice Lead, Tim Fisher, shares his reflections on the event below.

Co-production is rooted in everyday acts of care, listening, and solidarity. It is about changing systems, by building trusting relationships. It rejects extractive or transactional engagement and instead asks: what can we build together, rather than what can we take? Co-production becomes more than consultation – the process is a key part of the product – how we do the work matters.

This message of co-production came through powerfully at this week’s Kinship Knowledge Exchange in Westminster.

A group of local authorities from across the country shared how they are approaching their kinship care local offer duty not as a compliance exercise, but as a meaningful opportunity – to reach out, build trust, and shape support that works for families.

We heard strong leadership from Louise Spragg, Co-Chair of the Principal Social Workers Network, who reminded us:

“Co-production isn’t an event – it’s a core value and a way of being.

“As a leader, I use my power and privilege to open up spaces that should already be open – and not just open them, but share decision-making within them.”

Alongside Janet Kay (Kinship trustee and kinship carer), I’ve been working with Louise and colleagues in Telford as independent facilitators and “critical friends” to help co-produce their kinship care local offer. Louise shared how this work is grounded in relationship, trust, and accountability:

“We have carers who are really positive about our support, and carers who don’t want to speak to us at all. Both perspectives matter.

“If we’re not hearing from carers who don’t trust us, we ask: what are we doing wrong? What needs to change?

“We don’t send out standard emails or surveys. Every invitation to participate is made with care—whether that’s a personal phone call or meeting in a community space.”

We also had a passionate panel discussion on this need for a shift in culture and accountability. On the panel were members from of Nottinghamshire County Council, London Borough of Ealing, London Borough of Wandsworth and Torbay Council. Below are some highlights from that discussion.

On honest accountability and not blaming:

“This isn’t about blame – it’s about owning what we can change.”

“Sometimes our offer doesn’t land. That doesn’t mean we stop. It means we go back, listen harder, and do better.”

On feedback loops and systems learning:

“We didn’t put it on a council website and hope for the best. We went to where families are – libraries, schools, youth clubs, community venues.”

“This is not about ‘consultation.’ It’s about relationship, reflection, and change.”

On equity and ambition:

“Our local offer is not just a document. It’s a commitment. And it has to speak to every kinship family – not just the ones who already trust us.”

“We’re investing in peer support, therapeutic services, and clear pathways into early help. It’s what children and families deserve.”

At Kinship, we work with local authorities to help them develop their kinship care local offer. If you work for a local authority, we can help by:

• giving tailored help for meaningful conversations on kinship care local offer
• co-facilitating with kinship carers for authentic engagement
• bringing you into our kinship care local offer awareness and insights group – a space for shared learning and sector collaboration

To find out more, contact our Practice Lead, Tim Fisher, at tim.fisher@kinship.org.uk.

And if you work with kinship carers, join our Professionals’ Network to be the first to hear about future events and other support.