William Eichler 10 October 2024

First national guide on kinship care published

First national guide on kinship care published  image
Image: Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com.

The first national guide on kinship care, designed to help local leaders in children’s services support kinship carers and keep children within their family networks, has been published.

There are more than 164,000 children living in kinship care with relatives or close family friends in England and Wales, more than twice the total number of children in foster care.

However, research commissioned by Foundations, has found evidence-based practice is not consistently embedded in local authorities’ culture or leadership in children’s services.

The Kinship Care Practice Guide sets out key recommendations to local authority leaders to improve outcomes for children and kinship families.

These include giving kinship carers specialist support to navigate what is on offer for them and providing structured parenting support programmes for kinship carers.

The guide also recommends making Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) available for kinship carers where children display behaviours that challenge their carers.

Dr Jo Casebourne, chief executive at Foundations, said the guide ‘signals a new era in evidence-led practice in kinship care.’

Cath McEvoy-Carr, director of Children, Education and Skills in Newcastle, and chair of the North East Association of Directors of Children's Services, said: ‘As a Director of Children’s Services, I know that local authorities' want to use the highest quality evidence when they develop and commission kinship care services.

‘Foundations’ new Kinship Care Practice Guide marks a step change in the quality, rigour and accessibility of evidence available to us.’

Janet Daby, Minister for Children and Families, added: 'The Kinship Practice Guide will play a key role in driving best practice in local authorities and ensuring kinship carers have clear routes to accessing the help they need.'

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner