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Campaign over legal rights for kinship carers launches

2 mins read Social Care
Kinship carers need to be legally recognised and their role supporting children who cannot remain at home clearly defined, according to campaigners.
The Family Rights Group is calling for a legal definition of kinship care. Picture: Adobe Stock
The Family Rights Group is calling for a legal definition of kinship care. Picture: Adobe Stock

The move would help standardise support for this group of carers, who are relatives or friends who care for children that may otherwise be placed in foster or residential care.

The current lack of a single, universal definition “leads to different interpretations of kinship carers and variable levels of support”, says the Family Rights Group (FRG), which has launched the campaign.

The group's #TimeToDefine campaign wants kinship care and its different arrangements involving family members and friends to be written into legislation.

The move could also lead to an increasing use of kinship care by councils, adds the campaign. Currently 15 per cent of looked-after children are being cared for by family and friends.

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Trainee Social Worker

London (Central), London (Greater)

Head of Growth, Development and Outreach (Maternity Cover)

Home based, with regular travel across the UK for work