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Kinship care

Help for kinship carers

Last updated
9 Dec 2024

To speak to someone about your situation, you can contact the Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland. You can:

If there is an emergency or the child is in immediate danger, call 999 or 101.

Your local council can also offer support. 

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh City Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth and Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

If you are new to kinship care

If you have just become a kinship carer, there can be a lot of things to think about. You should be aware of your legal position and the support available to you.

Visit kinship.scot for advice and support.

You can also ask your social worker for practical items such as a toys, clothing or school materials.

Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland has resource lists for each age group with some ideas. You can ask for these items but your local council may not be able to give you everything you ask for.

Training

Going to training sessions may help you feel more confident with your new responsibilities as a kinship carer.

Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland has regular training sessions for kinship carers. You may also be able to access training through your local council. 

Support groups

You can connect with other kinship carers, share experiences and access support at a local kinship care support group.

Find a list of local kinship carer support groups at Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland.

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