Advice and information

It’s important to have a plan in place for a health emergency, such as if you become ill, or die. These practical steps will help you to plan for what will happen to the children you care for.

Schools have a responsibility towards children and young people in kinship care. Find out how the school should be supporting your child.

If you are a kinship carer to a 16- or 17-year-old, find out how they might be able to claim Universal Credit.

What to do if you are worried about a child's safety or welfare

Information about parental responsibility and how it can be obtained.

Learn about alcohol and substance abuse - how it can affect kinship families and what to do if your loved in struggling.

Benefit support called Bereavement Support Payment, which kinship carers could claim if a partner has died.

Information and links to specialist support on how to manage debt and get financial help as a kinship carer.

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

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

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 kinship foster carers.