What resources are available to kinship carers?

Resources for kinship carers are the information, professional services, practical tools and community networks that help relatives or connected adults care for a child safely and make informed decisions. The most useful support is tailored to the child’s needs, the carer’s circumstances and the legal arrangement in place, so two kinship families may be offered different resources.

A clear point of contact is often the starting point. Depending on the arrangement, this may be a local authority social worker, kinship care team, family placement worker, health professional or another named practitioner. Ask who is responsible for coordinating support, how to raise a concern and which services can be approached directly. Keep a written note of names, roles and contact details, particularly where several agencies are involved.

Written guidance and care plans can help turn professional advice into practical arrangements. Useful documents may cover the child’s routines, medication, school attendance, emotional needs, important relationships, contact with parents and what to do in an emergency. A written plan should also explain who can give consent for everyday activities and when professional agreement is needed. If circumstances change, ask for the plan to be reviewed rather than relying on informal assumptions.

Training and learning materials can help kinship carers understand behaviour, attachment, trauma, safeguarding, online safety and the impact of family disruption. Training may be offered by the local authority or a specialist organisation, while some resources are available as guides, workbooks or online learning. Carers may also need information about safer caring, recording incidents and responding to allegations. Training should be relevant to the child’s age and particular needs, such as disability, neurodivergence or therapeutic support.

Legal and advocacy resources help carers understand what their order or arrangement means in practice. This can include guidance on parental responsibility, decision-making, contact, travel, education and health care. An independent advice service or advocate may help a carer prepare for meetings, understand professional correspondence or express concerns. Legal information should be checked against the child’s actual legal status, as general advice cannot replace advice about an individual case.

Education resources may include support from the child’s school, its designated teacher for children in care where applicable, the local authority’s education service or the Virtual School. These services can help with school admissions, attendance, additional needs, learning difficulties, exclusions and planning for progress. Ask the school how the child’s history will be handled confidentially and who should be contacted if learning or behaviour changes.

Health and wellbeing support can come from the GP, health visitor, school nurse, paediatric services or mental health services. Relevant resources may include health assessments, developmental information, medication instructions, emotional wellbeing support and referrals for specialist help. Carers should keep an up-to-date record of appointments, advice and consent arrangements, and should ask which professional is responsible for following up a referral.

Peer and community support gives carers a chance to compare practical experiences with people in similar circumstances. Groups may be run by local authorities, charities or community organisations and can provide discussion sessions, training, activity groups and signposting. Peer support is useful for reducing isolation and identifying questions to raise with professionals, but it should not be treated as a substitute for safeguarding, medical or legal advice.

Practical and financial guidance may include advice about benefits, grants, equipment, childcare, transport and other costs connected with caring for the child. Entitlement can depend on the child’s legal status, household circumstances and the type of support being provided. Ask for a written explanation of any financial assistance, including how to apply, what evidence is needed and whether changes must be reported. Avoid assuming that support available to approved foster carers automatically applies to kinship carers.

It is helpful to keep a personal support file containing:

• the child’s legal documents and care plans;
• names and contact details for professionals and services;
• school, health and medication information;
• records of contact arrangements and significant events;
• training certificates, applications and professional correspondence; and
• notes of decisions, concerns and agreed follow-up actions.

When asking for help, explain the child’s current needs, what has already been tried and the effect on daily life. Ask what service is being offered, who is eligible, whether there is a referral process and what happens next. If support is refused or does not meet the child’s needs, request the decision and reasons in writing and ask about review, complaints or advocacy routes. Keeping records and seeking clarification early can make it easier to coordinate the right resources as the child grows and circumstances change.