This report provides a summary of findings about the type support provided to kinship carers across 80 local authorities. We found significant variation in the support that kinship carers receive, both across LAs as well as across different kinship care arrangement.
This is a foundational piece of research, and further research is required to understand this area further, and ensure that kinship carers receive effective support which ultimately enables children to thrive. Key information such as eligibility criteria, take-up rates, and when support was introduced, has not yet been systematically gathered. Further reseach and policy work should have a focus on prioritising and amplifying the voices of minoritised ethnic and informal kinship carers.
This report summarises the findings from a survey of 80 local authorities in England, mapping the different types of support provided by local authorities (LAs) to kinship carers. The report is supplemented by an annex detailing the full findings of the survey. The survey aimed to improve understanding of variation in support for kinship carers and focused on the following types of arrangement: family and friends foster care, Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) and Child Arrangement Orders (CAOs)/Residence Orders (ROs).
The aim of this project was to map out the extent of variation in support for kinship carers across both LAs and types of kinship care arrangements, to aid identification of promising interventions for further evaluation. Another aim of the project was to shed light on the support provided to specific groups of kinship carers, particularly those who may face additional challenges, such as those involved in informal kinship care arrangements and kinship carers from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.
This project used three data collection methods:
Our study found that there is significant variation in the support that kinship carers receive, both across LAs as well as across different kinship care arrangements.
Across different areas, support tends to be highest for Family and Friends Foster Carers, followed by Special Guardians, with the least support provided to kinship carers on a Child Arrangements Order (CAO/RO). Within SGOs and CAO/RO arrangements, support is more common if the child has previously been looked after by the LA.
The topics covered by the study are wide-ranging. The report discusses findings related to: service structure; panel process; financial support (ongoing and one-off); legal support training; emotional/therapeutic support; support for managing contact; support to help prevent breakdown of arrangements; information provision; support for minoritised ethnic kinship families; and support for informal kinship care arrangements.
This is a foundational piece of research which we hope will be a catalyst for further research and knowledge generation, to ensure that kinship carers receive effective support which ultimately enables children to thrive.
Subsequent steps are needed for future robust evaluations of LA support for kinship carers. Key information such as eligibility criteria, take-up rates, and when support was introduced, has not yet been systematically gathered.
Furthermore, the voices of minoritised ethnic and informal kinship carers should be prioritised and amplified in future research and policy work. While this report has illuminated some findings regarding LA practices for these groups, we know very little about their experiences.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
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Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
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Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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