Advice and information

Information on special guardianship orders for kinship carers, including how they work and available support.

Information and advice on the types of financial support available to kinship carers with a special guardianship order.

Stepping up to raise a child can be expensive, and money worries are common for kinship carers. Find out what financial support and benefits are available to you.

Information on child arrangements orders for kinship carers, including how you get one, how they work and available support.

Information and advice on the types of financial support available to kinship carers with a child arrangements order.

What it means to be a kinship foster carer, how you become one and available support.

Financial support and government benefits available to kinship foster carers.

Information on informal kinship care arrangements, including how you become an informal kinship carer and available support.

Find out how you become a kinship carer, and what to expect from the process.

If you are a family member or friend raising a child on behalf of their parents, legal advice will help you understand what your rights are.

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

Information on the types of financial support and government benefits available to informal kinship carers.

Everything you need to know about claiming Child Benefit as a kinship carer, including links to the latest government information.

Universal Credit is a payment by the Government to help cover your living costs if you’re of working age.

Information about the adoption and special guardianship support fund for kinship carers, including how to apply and who is eligible.

If you are unhappy about the way children’s services are working with you, you can make a complaint. This page explains the different steps in making a complaint.

How to appoint someone to look after the child you care for should you die.

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

Learn about life story work – what it is, when to consider it, techniques to carry it out (and get support), as well as how it can help kinship children build a positive self-image.

Pupil premium plus is special funding for schools in England to promote the education of pupils who are or have been in the care of children’s services.

There are a number of benefits you may be eligible for if you, or someone you care for, is disabled or has a long-term illness.