Introduction to kinship care workshop
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Who is this workshop for?
Kinship carers are family or friends who step up, often during an unexpected crisis, to care for a child when their parents aren’t able to.
This workshop is open to all kinship carers living in England.
You might find this workshop helpful if:
- you’re about to start, or have recently started, caring for a family member’s or friend’s child
- you have questions about your role as a kinship carer
The workshop will provide information on kinship care, and allow you to meet and hear from other kinship carers. We’ll also explain the support available to you.
What will be covered?
In this interactive workshop, you’ll:
- hear about Kinship, who we are and how we support kinship carers
- meet and share experiences with other kinship carers
- learn about kinship care and the different types of arrangements. You’ll see how these might apply to your situation and find out which one could be best for you
- look at what parental responsibility is, who has it and how it affects your decision-making rights as a kinship carer
- discuss common challenges with each other and think about how these issues might be relevant to your situation
- find out about various support networks, resources and other workshops that could be helpful to you
Our friendly facilitators, who have knowledge, expertise and lived experience of kinship care, will explain things clearly and in an engaging way. They’ll be available for 30 minutes after the workshop to answer your questions and give you a chance to chat with us and other kinship carers.
After the workshop, you’ll get an email with a link to useful resources and a feedback survey.
How to join the workshop
All workshops will be held online using a free platform called Zoom. Please note that numbers are limited for each session to around 20-25 people to allow you to meet other kinship carers.
You can access Zoom through a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or even your phone. You may need to download Zoom before you join – please factor in time to do that. The best experience will be through a computer or laptop. Watch a video on how to join a Zoom meeting.
To join the workshop, click on the Zoom link in the email we sent you.
Please make sure you:
- join on time – late joiners might not be admitted after 15 minutes
- have a pen / pencil and paper to make notes
"An hour well spent, I got a lot out of it and I'm glad that I attended. I learnt new things and was reminded of the things I already knew."
Kinship carer who attended the 'Introduction to kinship care' workshop
What happens if you need to cancel your place?
We understand that life gets in the way sometimes, so if you need to cancel your place please do try and let us know as soon as possible.
You’ll be able to do this through:
- the email confirmation you received when you first booked
- or by emailing us on: workshops@kinship.org.uk
Who runs this workshop?
The workshop is run by our Kinship team, which includes kinship carers. Meet the team below.
About Julie:
Julie is an experienced online training facilitator who has worked with families and children for many years, the last five years here at Kinship. She uses her experience and knowledge to support kinship families with valuable training, always looking for ways to improve what is available. Outside of work, Julie stays busy. She loves music and has been a huge fan of para-athletics since the London 2012 Olympics, often attending events. When relaxing, she enjoys reading novels or walking on her favourite beach in Norfolk.
About Bennet:
Bennet grew up as a kinship child. They know how challenging kinship care can be, and what a difference it can make in a child’s life. Over the past 20 years, Bennet has worked as an educator with families in South Africa, America, and England, and has developed a passion for mutual aid and community building. Even difficult challenges feel easier when you can talk to people who understand what you’re going through. Bennet also volunteers with several LGBTQIA+ organisations and spends the rest of their free time either reading, or with dogs. Or, if they’re lucky, reading with dogs!
About Amanda:
Before Amanda joined Kinship, she worked as a Family Practitioner for a local authority. With 18 years of experience helping and supporting kinship carers, she has gained a lot of knowledge and understanding of kinship care. Amanda is married with two grown up children and has a busy social life. She loves music and often goes to concerts and musical theatre shows. In her free time, she likes to read, watch films, and walk her two dogs.
About Chris:
Chris joined Kinship after nearly 30 years of working with children and families in various settings. Most recently, she worked as a Therapeutic Parenting Consultant for an Independent Fostering Agency. In addition to Chris’ professional experience, she is a kinship carer who understands the challenges and benefits of kinship care. Together with her partner, Chris is a Special Guardian for their 10-year-old granddaughter, who has lived with them since she was four. This experience has provided valuable insights into the kinship care journey. Music plays a big role in Chris’ life. She is a ‘non-singing’ member of an LGBT+ choir in Sussex and DJs at 70s and 80s nights. Chris is excited to meet as many kinship carers as possible to share her skills and experiences while learning from others.
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