Celebrating Kinship Carers During Kinship Care Week:

This Kinship Care Week (7^th - 13^th October) we are proud to celebrate and recognise the incredible role that kinship carers play in the lives of children and the wider community.

Kinship carers are those who step up to raise children of a relative or close family friend, often in unexpected and challenging situations. These carers open their hearts and homes to ensure children have the love and care they need, but being a kinship carer isn't always easy.

Many carers face challenges as they navigate raising a child who may have experienced a difficult start in life. From adjusting to new family dynamics to dealing with emotional and financial pressures, kinship carers take on huge responsibilities. Yet, they rise to the occasion, providing stability, safety, and love for children who need it most.

This year, the theme of Kinship Care Week is #ThisIsKinshipCare, a campaign aimed at increasing understanding of what kinship care truly involves. Many people don't realise how common it is or how it can affect anyone at any time, but there are multiple kinship carers who are supported by the Together for Children Kinship Team.

Speaking about Kinship Care, Viv Sear, Kinship Care Team Manager at said: "Whether it's a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend, kinship carers often step in when a child's parents can no longer provide the care they need. Despite the emotional and practical challenges, the carers continue to make a positive difference in the lives of children, and they deserve to be celebrated.

"At TfC our role is to provide the support, training, practical advice and guidance kinship carers might need to not only help them adjust to their new life, but to help create the best home environment and opportunities for children and young people".

This Kinship Care Week, Together for Children (TfC) is supporting the national ThisIsKinshipCare campaign and shining a light on the experiences of kinship carers, showing the world what life is like for families and the support they deserve.

Speaking about the support they have received from the TfC Kinship team one couple said:"Since working with the Kinship Team, we have become more informed about kinship care and feel that we are supported really well.  The process is complicated and brings up a lot of issues from the past, but we have felt that the social worker was able to handle this in a very sensitive way.  We are really looking forward to caring for our grandson and seeing him do well and we know that we will be offered support and training from the Kinship Team."

Another Kinship Carer said:"When the Kinship Team become involved in our lives it was daunting. However, I have built a good relationship with (our social worker) Michelle and feel whatever questions I have, she will always do her best to answer in a way in which I can understand.  I feel comfortable expressing my worries and concerns and always feel reassured at the end of our meetings. If I have any issues, I always know I will be able to contact Michelle and she will be happy to help in any way she can, which makes this whole process a little easier." 

Grandparent Peter added: "When my grandson came to live with me everything was up in the air, but I knew that with time and support we would both get there. The Kinship Team really helped along the way and my social worker has always been there and easy to get hold of.  The training I attended helped a lot, for example, the Solihull training and the first aid training.  I thought I knew it all, but I have learned new ways of doing things.  Now my grandson is doing so well and he has his whole life ahead of him.  Thank you." 

This Kinship Care Week encourages everyone to get involved in supporting kinship carers and spreading the word about the vital role they play. To learn more about how you can make a difference, visit the official Kinship Care Week page at Kinship.org.uk.

Find out more about the TfC Kinship Care team: Kinship Carers - Together for Children