'Statutory paid leave needed' to tackle kinship carer unemployment

2 days ago 2 mins read Joe Lepper Social Care

The government is being called on to introduce statutory paid leave for kinship carers after research found almost half lose those jobs and careers when they become responsible for supporting a relative or a friend’s child.

Sector leaders say the strategy lacks scale. Picture: Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock

Some large employers have already introduced paid leave for kinship carers. Picture: KleberPicui/Adobestock

The charity Kinship says the move is also needed to bring statutory rights around paid leave for the three in four kinship carers in work in line with those for adoptive parents.

Ministers are being urged to adopt the measure for kinship carers when the government’s review into parental leave begins in June.

According to a Kinship survey of 1,300 kinship carers 45% are forced to give up their job.

Four in five who had stopped working say they have never returned to any form of work.

More than half said paid employment leave would have enabled them to return to work, either as before or to some extent.

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