Become A Foster Family

What qualifications do I need to become a kinship carer?

You do not usually need formal qualifications to become a kinship carer. The assessment focuses on your relationship with the child, ability to meet their needs, home circumstances, health and suitability; any required preparation or training will be explained by the local authority.

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There is no standard academic certificate or professional qualification required to become a kinship carer. What matters is whether you can provide safe, stable and appropriate care for a child who is related to you or already known to you. The precise requirements depend on the legal route being considered and the child’s circumstances.

Kinship carers may be assessed and approved as foster carers by the local authority, or may care for a child under an arrangement such as a Child Arrangements Order or Special Guardianship Order. These routes have different legal processes. The local authority, social worker or family court will explain which option is relevant and what evidence is needed.

Although formal qualifications are not normally required, an assessment will usually consider:

  • your relationship with the child and understanding of their needs;
  • your ability to provide consistent supervision, routines, boundaries and emotional support;
  • your health and whether you can manage the practical demands of caring for the child;
  • your home, household circumstances and available sleeping arrangements;
  • your ability to work with the child’s parents, social workers, school and other professionals where appropriate;
  • your understanding of the child’s history, identity, culture and relationships; and
  • your willingness to accept advice, participate in training and ask for help when necessary.

As part of the assessment, you may need to complete background checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check, and provide personal or professional references. Other adults living in your household may also be considered. These checks are not qualifications, but they help the assessing authority determine whether the proposed arrangement is safe and suitable.

You may be asked to complete preparation or skills-based training. This can cover safeguarding, safer caring, managing behaviour, the impact of trauma and loss, first aid, recording information, confidentiality and working with birth family members. The subjects and timing will depend on the child’s needs and the type of kinship care arrangement. Previous experience in childcare, education, health or social care can be useful, but it does not replace the assessment or automatically lead to approval.

Everyday experience can also be relevant. Caring for your own children, supporting relatives, working with children or managing responsibilities in your community may help demonstrate your strengths. You do not need to have done all of these things, and you should be open about any areas where you need guidance. The assessment is intended to identify both your existing abilities and the support or learning that may be needed.

If you are being considered as a connected person foster carer, the fostering assessment will examine whether you can meet the child’s individual needs within the fostering framework. Approval is not based solely on whether you are a relative or family friend. The authority must consider the full circumstances and may set expectations around training, supervision, record keeping and cooperation with the child’s care plan.

A criminal record, health condition, rented home or lack of previous childcare experience does not necessarily prevent someone from becoming a kinship carer. Each matter is considered in context, with attention to its relevance to the child’s safety and welfare. It is important to disclose information accurately rather than assume that a difficulty will rule you out.

Before making a decision, ask the local authority to explain which assessment route applies, what checks will be carried out and what preparation is expected. You can also ask how the child’s needs will be assessed, what financial help may be available and what support will continue after the arrangement begins. The most important qualification is therefore not a particular certificate, but the ability and willingness to provide safe, reliable and child-focused care, supported by appropriate assessment and training.

Kinship carer discussing care arrangements with a social worker

Before arranging any course, establish which kinship care route applies to your circumstances. A local authority may have different expectations for connected-person fostering, a Child Arrangements Order or a Special Guardianship Order. This affects whether preparation is required, when it must be completed and how your suitability will be assessed.

Ask the social worker to clarify:

  • whether any preparation must be completed before the assessment or before the child moves in;
  • which subjects are relevant to the child’s needs;
  • how your existing learning or experience will be taken into account; and
  • whether further training or development will be recommended after the arrangement begins.

This helps you focus on the learning that is relevant to your role rather than assuming that a general childcare qualification is necessary.

Discuss your kinship carer assessment

If you are considering kinship care, speak to your local authority or contact Become a Foster Family for guidance on the relevant assessment route and preparation requirements. This will help you understand the next steps for your circumstances.

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