Find out about the role of social workers and children's services, and their role in kinship care
What local authorities should offer kinship carers
This page details what support kinship carers should generally expect from their local authority. Find out what local authorities typically offer, what you’re likely entitled to and the legal duty they have to all children in your area.
This advice applies to: England
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Putting children’s needs first
Every local authority (and their children’s services department) has a duty to act in a child’s best interest. This is protected by legal rights listed in the:
Local authorities must follow the Children Act 1989
The Children Act 1989 is the primary child protection legal framework for England and Wales. All local authorities must follow key Act principles, ensuring:
- child welfare is the paramount consideration
- minimal delay when making decisions for children
It also states every local authority must:
- promote the upbringing of children in need by their wider families (see definition of “children in need” below)
- provide a range and level of children’s services appropriate to those in need
- safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area
The Children Act 1989 is made up of sections, which you’ll often see references to on our website – for example, ‘section 17 support’.
Section 17 of the Children’s Act places a general duty on local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area.
However, the provision of financial support or practical support under Section 17 is discretionary. This means it is down to them to decide what financial and practical support or access to services they should provide.
If you’re concerned about how local children’s services are working for you or your kinship child, you can ask for support from Kinship, or read our advice guide on making a complaint.
A “child in need” is legally defined in section 17 as a child unlikely to achieve or maintain a reasonable standard of health or development without local authority services. This includes children:
- who are disabled
- whose health or development will be significantly impaired without such services
Kinship local offer
Department for Education guidance from 2024 states local authorities should provide visible, accessible and up-to-date information on support available to kinship carers. This is known as statutory guidance – it is given to local authorities to help them follow what the law says they should do. This is detailed in a “kinship local offer” – which might also be known as:
- family and friends care policy
- connected care policy
- kinship care policy
The offer should explain:
- kinship carer legal rights and responsibilities
- support services they offer
- assessment criteria for services they offer
- support groups available
- arrangements to hold family meetings
- eligibility criteria for financial or practical help
- assessment criteria to become a kinship foster carer (if the local authority has placed the child with you)
- the complaints process
Every local authority has their own policy, with different support levels. It can be useful to read your policy in detail, so you know how they should be supporting you.
The type of kinship care arrangement you have can also impact the support you get. Speak to your local authority if you’re unsure how your arrangement affects what they can offer.
You might already be in touch with a social or family support worker and be able to direct any questions to them. If you aren’t (or are unsure where to start), use our Kinship Compass tool to find your local authority and the relevant contact. You can also find services, information and support in your local area – including about the local offer.
Family group decision-making
Children’s services may use family group decision-making meetings to help families work out how to keep children in the extended family, when they can’t live in their usual home.
These meetings are often arranged by children’s services, or an organisation working on their behalf. They bring together parents and wider families of children who:
- are at risk of significant harm
- may be going into care
An independent professional supports everyone, facilitating the meeting. Together, you develop a plan to keep the child safe, while the adults support each other. The meeting should involve everyone who can contribute to making plans for a child’s future, like:
- the child themselves
- other family members
- friends
Arrangements for this type of decision-making should be included in a local authority’s kinship local offer.
Find out more
To find out more about available support, contact your local authority. Use our Kinship Compass tool to find out how.
Support from Kinship
Here at Kinship, we offer a range of free support for all kinship carers, including workshops, online advice and information, and support groups.
Learn about working with your local authority children’s services at an upcoming workshop.
You can also contact the Kinship advice team for free, non-judgmental advice and information if you live in England or Wales.
Related advice and information
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.
Explore our free online and in-person training and events.
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