Kinship care

Kinship carers are also known as 'connected carers' or ‘family and friends' carers’. They are usually a family member such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle. They can also be someone who already knows the child or young person well, for example a family friend or a teacher.

At times, we need to assess family or friends to care for children who can no longer remain in the care of their parents. Our referrals are received from children's social work teams in Lancashire. Often family or friends volunteer or are asked to look after children in emergency circumstances, and will we may to carry out an assessment to ensure this is safe.

Kinship assessments

We have a specialist team available to assess and support kinship carers during their assessment process. We complete both fostering and Special Guardianship assessments, known as the ‘dual assessment’. The team works closely with kinship carers. We support you to decide if you can care for a child either in an emergency or to provide lasting homes when a child cannot return to birth parent's care. You will be supported to take part in specialist kinship preparation training and the assessment process is inclusive and non-judgmental. The team works closely with colleagues in Lancashire's children's teams, legal and the courts in conjunction with appropriate legislation to support timely decisions for our children.

Our kinship carers

Some kinship carers are approved as foster carers temporarily while they are completing their assessment. These carers are known as ‘regulation 24’ carers. They are able to access most of the same support as our connected carers and we will write a plan with you to decide the support you need.

All kinship foster carers are supported to provide a stable home life where children can grow and develop in a safe, positive environment.

Myself and my husband Mike have been connected carers for our niece for the last 5 years. Although it was a tremendous shock to us at first and not the retirement that we had dreamed and planned, we adjusted to our new role and took pride in the fact that we were giving our niece the best possible care. Even though at times it all seemed so overwhelming, the help and support we received and are still receiving from Lancashire County Council and the caring social workers means so much. Our niece is thriving at school and we are so very proud of the way she has adapted and settled into her new way of life with us." Chris and Mike, connected carers.

If you are already an approved kinship carer you may find more useful information on our approved carers pages.