What kinship care is
When a child or young person cannot be looked after by their parents, they may be looked after by a close relative or family friend.
A child may be in kinship care if they:
- are being cared for by someone who is a close relative
- already have a relationship with the person caring for them
- are legally ‘looked after’
A child is ‘looked after’ when the local council has a legal responsibility for their wellbeing.
A kinship carer has the same responsibilities to the child as a parent, such as making sure they are kept healthy and that they go to school and medical appointments.
Kinship care is different from:
- Foster care – when the council arranges for someone to care for the child
- Private foster care – when parents arrange for their child to be cared for by someone who is not a close relative
- Family support – when the parents live in the same house as the carer and the child
Who is a close relative or family friend
A close relative of the parent or child includes:
- grandparent
- brother or sister
- aunt or uncle
- father-in-law or mother-in-law
- son-in-law or daughter-in-law
- brother-in-law or sister-in-law
- partner of any of the people listed
A close family friend includes:
- a close friend of the parent
- a neighbour
- a godparent
Types of kinship care
There are two types of kinship care: ‘looked after’ and ‘not looked after’.
Looked after kinship care is when the child has been placed with the kinship carer by the local council.
Not looked after kinship care is an informal arrangement made between the parents and the carer. Depending on the situation, the local council may be involved – but in some cases, they are not.
Who is a kinship carer
You are a kinship carer if:
- the child is a family member or the child of a close friend
- the child is living with you all the time their parents do not live with you
- you are not looking after the child as part of a private foster care arrangement
If you are a kinship carer you may be entitled to help, such as information, guidance and financial support.
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