Kinship Care

There are situations where it is appropriate for a child or young person to be looked after by someone other than their parents. Key to The Promise Scotland is the commitment to keep families together, enabling children in Scotland to live with their family, where it is safe to do so. Where a child cannot - for whatever reason – live with their parents, there is a duty on local authorities to consider whether they could live with other family members.

Families can vary in their dynamic and make-up, and the concept of kinship care recognises this.

If you are a kinship carer, are considering becoming a kinship carer, or kinship care is a feature of your child’s care plan, it is important you know what rights and duties exist. Our firm is experienced in navigating all aspects of kinship care arrangements. Call our specialist child protection lawyers today on 0141 778 9657 or by completing our online contact form.

What is kinship care?

When a child or young person cannot be looked after by their parents, they may be looked after by a relative of the parent or child, or a family friend. The relative or family friend is known as a kinship carer.

Kinship care is different from a foster care arrangement where a child or young person’s care is arranged by a local authority, or a family arrangement where parents live in the same household as the child and any caregiver.

Who can be a kinship carer?

A relative can include grandparents, aunts or uncles, brother or sisters, or in-laws.

A family friend can include a close friend of the parent or a neighbour.

Are you a kinship carer?

You are a kinship carer if a child is living with you and their parents do not live with you, and the child is a family member or the child of a close friend.

Kinship Care Support

If you are a kinship carer you may be entitled to help, such as information, guidance and financial support.

A kinship carer has the same responsibilities to the child as a parent, such as promoting the child’s welfare, health, wellbeing and development.

In turn, the local authority may have duties to you as a kinship carer (including the provision of financial support), depending on whether the child or young person is considered to be “looked after” or not.

It is important to be aware of your options to ensure you and any child or young person receive appropriate supports. Call our specialist child protection lawyers today on 0141 778 9657 or by completing our online contact form.