Celebrating Kinship Carers: Kinship Care Week 2-8 October 2023

Norfolk County Council is joining with other local authorities to celebrate Kinship Care Week (2 to 8 October) and the vital role of relatives and friends who step up to raise a child whose parents are not able to care for them. 

In Norfolk we have 947 households raising children in kinship care. Across England, 53% of children in kinship care are raised by grandparents. Many other children are brought up by aunts, uncles, brothers and sister, other relatives, and family friends.  

Kinship care arrangements come about for a variety of reasons, due to the death or long-term illness of a parent, their imprisonment or where children have been at risk of significant harm meaning they can no longer live at home. 

Kinship care means that children can be raised by their wider family, rather than having to go into the care system. The love, stability and familiarity provided by kinship carers leads to children raised by their extended family network having a stronger sense of identity and better life outcomes.  

Cllr Penny Carpenter, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services said: "Hundreds of families across Norfolk step up to provide a safe and loving home to children at times of crisis. We celebrate these families this week and give thanks for the critical role they play in the lives of the children they are raising, ensuring they have the best start in life."  

Children who are being cared for by kinship carers have often experienced some trauma or distress prior to moving in with their relative or family friend. Norfolk County Council offers all kinship carers the same in-depth training sessions available to adopters and this includes, for example, Theraplay, Therapeutic Parenting, non-violence resistance and sensory training to help ensure they are ready to provide the best care they can for the children in their care. 

Cllr Penny Carpenter continued: "We are committed to strengthening and expanding our kinship care offer, and fully support the recommendations in the National Children's Social Care Review and the government's response regarding a focus on kinship care and keeping children safe within their family network." 

Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive, Family Rights Group said: "The love and stability that kinship carers provide to the children they are raising is priceless. Without them, far more children would be living in the care system. Family Rights Group's free national advice service is available for relatives and friends to understand their rights and options when children's services are involved."  

Shanayd Warren, kinship carer and co-chair of The Kinship Care Alliance (KCA) said: "Kinship Care Week is an opportunity to show appreciation and shine light on the invaluable role played by kinship carers and to raise awareness of the children being raised in kinship."