Advice and information

Information and advice for kinship carers on adoption, how to adopt a child, alternatives to adoption and support available.

Advice on employment rights for kinship carers who need time off work, including flexible working, time for dependants and parental leave.

Pension Credit is an extra amount paid by the government to top up your living costs if you’re on a low income and over State Pension age.

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

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 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 child arrangements order.

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

Information on financial support and benefits available for private foster carers to help pay for the cost of caring for a child.

Information on private foster care, including who can be a private foster carer, how you become one, and support you can get.

Financial support and government benefits available to family and friends foster carers.

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

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

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

How to support a child and help them get ready for a positive experience when spending contact time with family.

How to plan and organise contact time with family to reduce stress and make it a positive experience for the child.

Learn what contact time with family is and how you can make it a positive experience for a child.

We know there’s a lot to take in when you’re preparing to become a kinship carer. That’s why we’ve put together information and advice to help you get ready.

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.

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

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.