Learn about Kinship’s research, informed by the experiences of kinship carers, and see how we use this evidence to call for change in law, policy, and practice.
For professionals:
Understanding kinship carer networks to inform targeted support
The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by the University of Exeter in collaboration with Kinship and supported by the University of Plymouth and Torbay Council. The research team comprises: Professor Felicity Thomas, Professor Katrina Wyatt, Dr Lorien Jasny, Dr Tom El-Hoss, Susanne Hughes, Angela Harper (kinship carer) and Emily Gomez (kinship carer) from the University of Exeter; and Dr Felix Gradinger from the University of Plymouth.
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Study Status: complete
Background
The main source of support for many kinship carers comes from family, friends and community groups. However, we don’t know who this more informal support is available to, what role it plays and how this differs with factors like kinship carer and child age, child needs, religion, ethnicity and location.
Research aims and objectives
The research aimed to understand this better and look at what support would be helpful for kinship carers.
The objectives were to:
- understand the shape and distribution of support networks available to diverse groups of kinship carers across the UK
- undertake in-depth social network mapping and analysis across three diverse case study sites
- identify protective factors which support kinship carers at different stages of the care process as well as areas where networks are weak or fragile
- establish how information on support networks which encompass family and friends, voluntary and community sector support and statutory support can more effectively inform kinship carer assessments and targeted support
What did the study involve?
Kinship added questions to their national annual survey about social networks and how they help kinship carers to support their children.
The research team undertook in-depth social network mapping and interviews with kinship carers in Torbay, Walsall and Newcastle. Kinship carers were trained as peer researchers to help us carry out data collection. We also spoke to children’s social care teams in the three areas to understand how kinship carer social networks are taken into account during assessments and could be strengthened in support plans.
Use the support planning resources
If you are a kinship carer or a professional looking for resources to help you develop or review a support plan, you can draw on these resources which are informed by the research and were co-produced with the Project Kinship Carer Network.
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Information, advice and support for professionals working with kinship carers.