Rule change could mean more vulnerable children fostered by family members

Councils will be told to put the best interests of vulnerable children first when deciding whether family members or friends should be allowed to care for them.

There more than 130,000 children living with family or friends - formally known as kinship care. But local authorities and families have long complained the system is too rigid - which has prevented children from remaining within their family.

Currently kinship carers are judged against the same National Minimum Standards used to judge foster carers. Instead, the new guidance would urge councils to put the interests of the child first - and look at how family carers can be supported to meet the standards if they don’t already.

Kinship care journeys tend to begin in times of crisis, when parents could be struggling with addiction, or are abusive, or severely unwell,” Janet Daby, the Children and Families Minister told the . “A grandparent, relative, or friend selflessly steps in to raise their loved ones, often turning their own life upside down in the process.

“In doing so, they make sure children are kept safe, receive a sense of normality during a time of immense change and turmoil, and can stay with someone who they know. Kinship carers protect children from feeling like they’re being passed from pillar to post. They are saving them from having to adjust a whole new environment and family setting.”

READ MORE:

She added: “To those who are beginning their journey as a kinship carer and are unsure of the road ahead, or to those who have been navigating this path for years, know that I – and this government – see the tremendous work you do for your families, and hear your challenges.”

The announcement comes at the start of Kinship Care Week - and alongside the appointment of the first National Kinship Care Ambassador, Jahnine Davis. Ms Davis, a safeguarding expert who has experience of kinship care, said she was “truly honoured” to be appointed.

“I know firsthand how it feels to grow up surrounded by family and friends and having a place of love and stability. But I also understand how often kinship care is overlooked,” she said.

“I’m committed to working with government and local authorities to deliver change for kinship families, share good practice and serve as a conduit for the voices of kinship children and carers across our country.”

Kinship carers protect children from being passed from pillar to post

By JANET DABY, Children and Families Minister

Kinship care journeys tend to begin in times of crisis, when parents could be struggling with addiction, or are abusive, or severely unwell. A grandparent, relative, or friend selflessly steps in to raise their loved ones, often turning their own life upside down in the process.

In doing so, they make sure children are kept safe, receive a sense of normality during a time of immense change and turmoil, and can stay with someone who they know. Kinship carers protect children from feeling like they’re being passed from pillar to post. They are saving them from having to adjust a whole new environment and family setting.

It's still the case, in 2024, that 1 in 10 children in the care system – hundreds of young people – move between three or more placements in a single year. I doubt anyone reading can imagine how heartbreaking and traumatic that must be.

Having spent over 10 years as a social worker, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable extended family can be – often over time helping the child’s immediate family rebuild their life and relationship with their child.

One child I worked with had been referred by doctors after ending up in hospital too many times. As soon as I got the extended family involved, they took the child in, and helped her mum rebuild her life away from her abusive partner.

But I’ve also seen the challenges facing kinship families. It is an enormous undertaking to unexpectedly become a parent overnight. Far too often carers are left without the support they need to take on this new role.

Now Labour is in government, change has begun.

This week is Kinship Care week, and for the first time, we have appointed a new National Kinship Care Ambassador, Jahnine Davis. Having experience of kinship care herself, her number one priority will be to advocate for children and carers to make sure that kinship care is properly recognised across government and local social services.

There’ll be new guidance for councils making sure every authority sets out the support it will provide locally to kinship carers.

We're planning for it to emphasise what is already clear from case law: that a child’s best interest should always be at the forefront of council’s decision-making when it comes to whether a child should be placed with extended family or moved into foster care or a care home.

Introducing these measures is an important first step on our mission to break down barriers to opportunity for all children.

To those who are beginning their journey as a kinship carer and are unsure of the road ahead, or to those who have been navigating this path for years, know that I – and this Labour government – see the tremendous work you do for your families, and hear your challenges.

Watch this space for more.