Introduction
Kinship Care is a form of care where there is already an existing relationship between the child and the carer. The most common relationship found in this type of care is between grandparents and grandchildren, but it can also include other relatives, close family friends or teachers.
Eligibility to become a Kinship Carer
A person can apply to become a child’s Kinship Carer under various circumstances, including:
Special guardianship:
- They are already the child’s legal guardian
- The child lives with them because of a ‘Child Arrangement Order’
- The child has lived with them for 3 out of the past 5 years
- They are the child’s relative or foster parent, and the child has been living with them for at least a year
- They have the agreement of anyone named in a Child Arrangement Order as someone the child can live with
- They have the agreement of all the individuals with parental responsibility for the child
- They have the agreement of the local council if the child is in care
Child arrangement orders:
- They have been caring for the child under a Child Arrangement Order
They have the agreement of the individuals with parental responsibility for the child
Informal family care:
They are a close relative or family friend who has taken on the care of the child with the parents’ agreement.
Private fostering:
- The child is under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) and is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative for 28 days or more
- The arrangement is agreed upon by the parents
- The local authority is notified of the arrangement
For more information, please refer to the Private fostering website.
Support and Resources
Kinship Carers can access various support and resources, including:
- Kinship care resources – Information and advice on health, education, and parenting issues
- Financial support: Assistance with claiming benefits and tax credits, and discretionary financial support in exceptional circumstances.
- Family group conferences: Collaborative planning and decision-making meetings to address challenges in raising and caring for children.
- Family time management: Support in managing family time arrangements to ensure the child maintains relationships with their parents and other important adults.
For more information, individuals are encouraged to refer to the Kinship Care leaflet and other related resources provided by Somerset Council.