Comment on Foundations research on kinship care

Nigel Minns, Chair of the ADCS Health, Care & Additional Needs Policy Committee said:

“Kinship care or special guardianship arrangements can offer children the stability and love they need where there is family breakdown. The continuation of existing relationships with extended family members or friends can help children navigate their early childhood experiences, but there is a lack of understanding about the nature and status of kinship carers and some variation in how these arrangements are delivered. The government has committed to publish a kinship strategy which, if successful, has the potential to change the way we work with a significant proportion of our children for the better.

“All forms of permanence, such as adoption or foster care, are important but the use of kinship care and special guardianship arrangements have increased as the number of children in our care continues to rise. The varying extent to which these options have been developed in different authorities so far will be linked to resources, local priorities and need but this is an area of rapid progress. Above all else, it is important that the needs and best interests of each individual child always remains at the heart of decision making.”

ENDS

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