This is where a child or young person goes to live with someone that is connected to them, maybe a relative or a friend. Wigan Council is committed to working with families to first identify someone in their own network for their child to live with, before an unrelated foster carer is considered.
Kinship foster carers are sometimes called 'connected carers' or friends and family carers.
Kinship foster carers receive an allowance and are eligible for lots of support from the fostering service - find out more about fostering help and support.
Some kinship carers consider special guardianship orders.
Assessment of kinship foster carers
Caring for a child in your family network
Caring for a relative or friend's child is a significant commitment and often comes at a difficult time. Kinship care can provide children with stability, a sense of belonging and better long-term outcomes by allowing them to remain within their family network.
If a child becomes a Child in Care, you will need to be assessed and approved as a kinship foster carer. Wherever possible, long-term plans aim to achieve lasting change through arrangements such as Special Guardianship Orders.
The assessment process
The assessment is completed by the Kinship Assessment team and the child's social worker, and involves several home visits and discussions with all household members.
The assessment considers:
- Your background, family relationships and parenting experience
- Your ability to meet the child's emotional, practical and developmental needs
- Your support network and ability to manage family relationships
- Joint and individual interviews with applicants where appropriate
- Attendance at Skills to Foster training
Required checks
A range of safeguarding and suitability checks will be completed, including:
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and local authority checks
- Medical and health checks
- Personal and professional references
- School, health visitor and employer references where relevant
- Home health and safety assessment
- Pet assessment
- Social media and CAFCASS checks
Additional checks may be required depending on individual circumstances.
Temporary approval
In emergency situations, temporary approval may be granted following a shortened assessment and essential safeguarding checks. Temporary approval can last up to 16 weeks, with a possible extension in exceptional circumstances while the full assessment is completed.
Fostering panel
Once the assessment is complete, applicants attend an independent fostering panel. The panel makes a recommendation regarding approval, which is then considered by the Agency Decision Maker.
What is expected of kinship foster carers?
Kinship foster carers are expected to:
- Put the child's needs first
- Work openly and honestly with professionals
- Participate in training and support groups
- Support the child's education and attend relevant meetings
- Work as part of the wider professional network around the child
Support available
Approved kinship foster carers may receive:
- A weekly fostering allowance
- Ongoing training and professional support
- Regular supervision from a fostering social worker
- Support with education through the Virtual School and Personal Education Plan process
- Guidance on permanence options, including Special Guardianship
Long-term planning
The aim for all children is to achieve permanence and stability. Possible outcomes include:
- Returning to birth parents
- A Special Guardianship Order
- A Child Arrangements Order
- Adoption