Campaigning at Grandparents Plus
We hear all the time that kinship carers face a lack of information, advice and support. Our campaigns are built around the changes that kinship carers tell us they want to see and are developed with our advisory group of kinship carers. They reflect the findings of our annual survey and our practical experience of supporting thousands of kinship families each year through our programmes and services.
What needs to change
A Kinship Care Act – kinship care must be recognised in law to ensure all kinship carers and the children they care for have access to the support and information they need when they need it.
Local authorities must do more to support kinship carers in their areas – this is especially urgent given the impact Covid-19 is having on kinship families.
Specialist and independent advice be universally available to kinship carers – to ensure they are made aware of their rights as soon as possible. They need access to free, independent legal advice in order to make informed decisions about the care arrangements they make for the child.
Comprehensive support to be universally available to kinship carers –specific to the needs of every kinship family as soon as they begin looking after the child. Carers should also be able to access peer support in the areas where they live.
Financial support to be universally available, with a national minimum allowance to cover the costs of bringing up a child in kinship care and exemption from the benefits cap.
There needs to be a better understanding of kinship care among professionals and wider society – to ensure kinship carers feel valued for the important role they take on and the sacrifices they make.
A greater voice for kinship carers – Kinship carers’ experiences should be at the heart of all decisions made about them. Their experiences should also be a foundation for any services offered to them.
Please keep your stories coming in so we can continue to shine a light on your experiences and push for change. To ‘Tell us your story’ please fill out our online form.
If you would like more information about campaigning, please contact campaign@grandparentsplus.org.uk
