Government Launches Groundbreaking Financial Support for Kinship Carers in England
A new government pilot scheme has been launched to provide financial allowances to kinship carers in England, marking a significant shift in support for those who take on full parental responsibility for children within their families. The initiative, hailed as groundbreaking by charities, aims to align the financial assistance for kinship carers with that of foster carers for the first time, potentially transforming the lives of tens of thousands of children.
What Are Kinship Carers?
Kinship carers are individuals such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, or close family friends who step in to provide full-time care when a child loses their birth parents due to death, family court orders, severe illness, or imprisonment. These carers often make substantial personal sacrifices to keep families together, yet many have historically received little or no state financial support, leading to feelings of being ignored or exploited as a cheap alternative to foster care.
Details of the Pilot Scheme
Under the trial, which commenced on Friday, kinship carers in seven specific council areas will receive a financial allowance equivalent to that of foster carers. This allowance ranges from £170 to £299 per week, depending on the carer's location and the age of the child. For example, a kinship carer living outside London and caring for a 15-year-old would receive an annual allowance of £13,832 starting in April. Importantly, this payment is not means-tested and will not affect universal credit or child benefit entitlements.
Government and Charitable Responses
Children's Minister Josh MacAlister introduced the scheme, emphasizing the vital role kinship carers play in ensuring families can stay together. He stated, "As a country we owe kinship carers our thanks and our support, and the new financial allowance which we're piloting recognises the vital role they play." MacAlister, who originally proposed these measures in an independent review of children's social care in 2022, is now implementing them as part of the current government's efforts.
Charities have warmly welcomed the pilot. Lucy Peake, chief executive of Kinship, described it as potentially life-changing but noted that it currently covers only about 5,000 children. She urged ministers to rapidly extend the allowances nationwide, stating, "Kinship carers hold our care system together, and the government must provide the right support to ensure they are not pushed into poverty for doing the right thing." Similarly, Cathy Ashley of the Family Rights Group called the scheme groundbreaking and advocated for its universal implementation as soon as possible.
Broader Implications and Evidence
Academic evidence suggests that kinship care is not only more cost-effective than foster or residential care but also leads to better health and employment outcomes for children. It helps maintain a strong sense of family, identity, and culture. With approximately 132,000 children in England living under kinship arrangements, many carers have faced financial hardship, often giving up work to care for a child relative and facing heightened risks of poverty.
Participating Council Areas
The three-year trial will involve seven council areas across England: Bexley in Greater London, Bolton, Newcastle upon Tyne, North East Lincolnshire, Medway in Kent, Thurrock in Essex, and Wiltshire. This targeted approach aims to assess the scheme's effectiveness before potential nationwide rollout.
This pilot represents a critical step toward recognizing and supporting the invaluable contributions of kinship carers, who save the state billions by preventing children from entering the foster care system. As the trial progresses, stakeholders will closely monitor its impact, hoping it paves the way for broader, more equitable support for all kinship families in England.
