Government launches pilot of seven new “Kinship Zones” across England providing additional financial support

Currently, kinship carers do not receive consistent financial support, unlike foster carers and adoptive families.

However, kinship care has been shown to lead to better outcomes than residential care homes, with a 2021 report by University College London showing lower rates of long term illness and higher rates of employment for adults with a history of kinship care, compared to those that grew up in foster or residential care.

In light of this, the Government has today (27 February) announced it is trialling a financial allowance to eligible kinship carers, backed by £126 million to reach around 5,000 children.

This will start with a pilot in seven local authority area ‘Kinship Zones’, with kinship carers to be provided with funding per child.

The seven confirmed Kinship Zone local authorities are:

• Bexley (Greater London)
• Bolton (North West)
• Newcastle (North East)
• North East Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
• Medway (South East)
• Thurrock (East of England)
• Wiltshire (South West)

According to the DfE, each Kinship Zone will receive a package of funding and support, enabling local authorities to tailor delivery to local needs.

Meanwhile, money saved by local authorities thanks to central government pilot funding will be “redirected” to other support schemes for family networks.

The pilot will run for up to three and a half years, with further expansion to be confirmed after evaluation.

Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, said: “As a country we owe kinship carers our thanks and our support, and the new financial allowance which we’re trialling as part of our plan for change recognises the vital role they play ensuring families can stay together.

“We promised to introduce this scheme to support kinship carers who step up for the children they love and give every child the best possible start in life.

“These Kinship Zones will lead the way in showing the impact for children when we unlock the power of grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who could care for their kin in the place of the care system.”

Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “Kinship carers provide stability and love during moments of significant upheaval in a child’s life – their value often goes under-acknowledged, but the commitment they offer can be transformative.

“The overwhelming majority of children in kinship care who I have spoken to as Children’s Commissioner tell me they feel loved and cared for, a true testament to the unique bonds formed during kinship care.

“I have called for kinship carers to be given a financial allowance that supports the transition into these new living arrangements – so I am grateful to the government for listening and taking this important first step.”

Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group, welcomed what she described as a “groundbreaking” pilot.

“However, with over 150,000 children in England raised by family and friends in kinship care, only 3% are set to benefit in the near term,” she said.

“Across the country, many kinship families continue to experience inconsistent financial support and, at times, unfair practice. For example, some local authority policies and financial assessments do not adequately account for disability, placing disabled kinship carers and disabled children at particular disadvantage. This is an issue that national and local government need to address now.”

Ashley added: “As each authority develops its kinship local offer, this is a key opportunity to involve kinship families directly in reviewing and improving how they financially support their kinship community.

“We urge national and local government to build the fair, effective support system that children and families need.”

Lottie Winson