Features

Working with kinship families: Tips for children's services professionals

2 mins read Social Care Guide To...
Charity Kinship shares tips for professionals on how best to support kinship families.
Experts advise professionals to build trust with families. Picture: Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock
Experts advise professionals to build trust with families. Picture: Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock

Build trust. Kinship families may find it difficult to trust statutory services. Think about what the “front door” to your support looks like. Do you start off with forms and admin or: “How are you and how can I help?”

Be sensitive to the situation. Poverty and financial hardship are defining features of kinship families. They often experience difficult housing situations and overcrowding with carers and children sharing beds. Be their advocate and make sure families get any support available. On top of financial strain, kinship carers are often managing incredibly difficult and complex family situations, which may be causing them shame, stress, loss or a feeling of vulnerability.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this