If you're in kinship care

Kinship care is when you live with a close relative or family friend because you're not able to live with your parents right now. Depending on the situation, this could be for a short time or it could last for several years.

Support if you're in kinship care

Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland

The Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland (KCASS) offers support to kinship carers and young people in kinship care.

To speak to KCASS about your situation, you can:

• call 0808 800 0006 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 2.30pm)
• email advice@kinshipscot.org

Who Cares? Scotland

Who Cares? Scotland offer support and advocacy services. They are not connected to your local council’s social work department or foster carer.

You can contact Who Cares? Scotland about your situation. You can:

• call 0330 107 7540 (Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm)
• email help@whocaresscotland.org

Childline

You can get information about dealing with changes and coping with your feelings from Childline.

You can also contact them for help at any time. You can:

• call 0800 11 11
• send them a message online

Your rights

You have rights like every other child and adult. These are in place by law and cannot be taken away.

Find information about your rights from Who Cares? Scotland. 

If you're in kinship care, you have a say in what happens to you. If you are aged 12 or over some court orders won’t happen without your permission, for example permanence orders.

If you need to speak to someone about your legal rights contact the Scottish Child Law Centre. They can give you free advice.