Kinship foster care, also known as family and friends foster care, is when a child is placed with a relative or close family friend who has been assessed and approved as a foster carer under fostering regulations. In these cases, the child is under the care of the local authority’s children’s services, who share parental responsibility with the child’s birth parents. Kinship foster carers do not have parental responsibility themselves, but they provide the child’s day-to-day care.

The aim of the assessment is to ensure the arrangement is safe, stable, and in the child’s best interests. The assessment explores parenting skills, emotional support, financial stability, and the safety of the home. As part of this process, all legal options are considered, such as a Child Arrangements Order (CAO), Special Guardianship Order (SGO), or fostering so the best long-term plan can be made for the child.

Please the the step by step guide to the assessment process. 

By coproducing with kinship carers, we have developed a leaflet that highlights useful contacts, the support available and the role of the local authority. Click the button below to view this leaflet. 

We have also developed a leaflet specifically for birth parents, offering clear information about what their role is, what the assessment entails and the support available. Click the button below to view this leaflet. 

The Voice of the Child Apprentices have created this leaflet to help children and young people better understand their arrangements. It explains in a clear and age-appropriate way, and includes helpful information to support them in navigating their experiences and knowing where to go for support.