Advice and information

Learn how the local authority carries out a special guardian assessment and how to get support through the process.

How your kinship care arrangement affects passport applications for a child’s passport and what documents you need for the passport application.

If you’ve decided an SGO is the right option for your kinship family, find out what’s involved in making an application without the involvement of children’s services

This page explains how to end an SGO if the child’s parents have made significant changes to their lives, and you all agree it’s in the best interests of the child they go back to live with them.

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.

Understand what the support plan is, what you should ask for and how to advocate for your family's needs throughout the process.

Learn the relevant sections of the Children Act 1989 and how they affect kinship care.

Learn how you can use stories to explore difficult topics like identity and emotional wellbeing within your kinship family.

Find out about the financial allowances pilot for kinship carers, including the local authorities chosen and how it will work

Find out about financial support for young people in education, including a bursary for college students, university student finance and EMA in Wales.

Understand the education, health and care (EHC) plan process and how they can help kinship children with special educational needs.

What to think about when your kinship child needs to move schools or transition between schools and how to support them

Find out how your virtual school could support your kinship child, from managing their behaviour to moving schools

Learn more about how to understand and manage challenging behaviour in kinship children you care for.

Anger is a normal, healthy emotion that everyone has. But sometimes anger can seem unkind, aggressive and even frightening. Here are some practical tips to spot, manage and get support with anger issues.

Childcare costs can be expensive. As a kinship carer, you may be entitled to financial support to help cover the cost of childcare.

Information for kinship carers on childcare options for children aged 0-16, including nurseries, pre-schools, childminders and nannies.

Learn how emotional and mental health issues might affect kinship children. Understand how to discuss them, and recognise the impact of trauma.

Find out what support kinship carers should generally expect from their local authority, and the legal duty they have to all children in your area.

Find out about the role of social workers and children's services, and their role in kinship care

Learn about online safety and how to keep the children you care for safe online - including starting conversations about online life, and where to get further support.