Barnardo's responds to the Government’s first Kinship Strategy

Nicola Smith, Barnardo’s Senior Policy Advisor on children in care, said:  

“There is an urgent need to dramatically reform children’s social care and help families where children can no longer live with their birth parents. Around 76% of children living with alternative family members, such as grandparents, are growing up in deprived households.

“Today’s publication of the Government’s first Kinship Strategy, which pilots financial support for family members looking after children who would otherwise go into care, is an important first step. But the £20 million pledged to run the scheme in eight local authorities will barely scratch the surface - especially when so many local authorities are in financial dire straits. 

“A robust, long-term and comprehensive package to support ‘kinship carers’ is desperately needed as part of the wider reform of children’s social care. Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address the fundamental inequalities that exist for children who can’t live with their birth parents. The Government must ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, receive the same love, support and opportunities in life.” 

Further information: 

https://kinship.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Support-for-kinship-carers-WH-debate-14-Sep-briefing.pdf