Kinship carers ‘fear financial strain could see children enter care’

The study by charity Kinship reports that kinship carers are under immense financial strain as a result of the cost of living crisis, and the lack of monetary support from the government.

Of 1,435 kinship carers surveyed, 44 per cent could not afford to pay bills and 26 per cent could not afford food.

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A further 35 per cent struggled to pay for clothes for their children and 18 per cent could not afford accommodation payments, the research shows.

Meanwhile, 72 per cent of participants said that the increased financial pressure was affecting their physical and mental health, while 33 per cent believed it was also negatively impacting that of their children.

One carer, who is raising her two half siblings, told the charity that she survives on food banks, school food vouchers, and family aid. 

“I don’t have any spare money - it all goes on gas and electricity bills which have gone up from £91 to £200 per month.

“I’m now in arrears with the rent because I’m struggling to pay the energy bills and I’m getting threatening letters from the housing department saying debit collectors will come round. The children need new school uniforms and other essentials but I’m having to cut those to keep the debt collectors from the door,” she said.

The severe financial pressure led 37 per cent of survey participants to admit that their children could be at risk of entering the care system, a consequence that Kinship chief executive, Dr Lucy Peake said “would be a massive tragedy that is entirely preventable”.

There are currently an estimated 162,400 children in kinship care in England and Wales - more than double those in foster care. However, kinship carers are not currently entitled to the same non-means tested financial allowances as foster carers.

As part of its final recommendations, the Care Review has called on government to increase support for kinship carers in line with foster carers.

“We know it’s best for children to stay within their own families where they are loved, safe and secure rather than go into the care system but raising a child costs money,” Peake said. “The government must act with urgency and implement the recommendations made by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and provide kinship carers and their children with the financial support they clearly so desperately need.”