According to charity Kinship, people who care for their relatives’ children in order to keep them safe from the care system may have to give them up if living costs rise.
According to the charity, most kinship caregivers in England and Wales receive less financial support than foster carers. Some have even warned that they are struggling.
Ministers state that they are trying to figure out how to improve support.
Laura Thornton, who takes care of two half-siblings and receives “threatening letters” regarding her debts due to rising prices
Laura was one of nearly 1,500 kinship carer in England and Wales that responded to the charity survey. They look after over 2,000 children between them. The survey revealed that:
Laura, 33 years old, is from West Sussex and took in her half-siblings six year ago following a family tragedy. She had previously worked as a trainee leader in hospitality for 60 hours per week.
She says that if she hadn’t intervened, it’s likely the children would’ve been placed in care. They would have felt abandoned and unwelcome.”
Laura applied for legal guardianship early on. Social services advised Laura that she would have no work and be devoted entirely to her children. She now relies on benefits.
It’s life-changing. But I wouldn’t want it any other way. Food banks, school food vouchers, and family support have helped me survive. She says that she doesn’t have any extra money and all of her income goes to gas and electricity bills, which went up from PS91 per month to PS200 per year.”
“The pressure is extremely, very high. I don’t want my children to fail and I feel like I will be a failure if I can’t pay my bills.”
She believes that a financial allowance, similar to the amount a foster carer receives, would make a big difference.
An independent review of England’s council-run child care services recommended changes last month. This included better financial and emotional support for families such as Laura’s.
Kinship offers a standard, universal, non-means-tested allowance to family members who take care of children in the home. This is in addition to the minimum payments made to foster carers in England or Wales. These amounts vary depending on where they are located and the age of the children.
According to the charity, current financial support is “inadequate” and “patchy”.
Dr Lucy Peake, chief executive of Kinship, says that many Kinship families have been “purged into poverty” and are concerned about having to abandon the care of their children. “This would be an enormous tragedy that could have been avoided.”
A spokesperson for England’s Department for Education stated that: “Kinship carers often make sacrifices in order to provide vulnerable children and young adults permanent, loving homes.
“Local authorities may offer financial support for kinship carer. Government will then respond fully to the recommendations of the independent care review. This includes how we can further support kinship caregivers.
“In recognition that rising costs are being recognized, the government provides over PS37bn in aid to families. This is targeted at the most vulnerable.”
A spokesperson for the Welsh government said that they value the support and care provided by foster and kinship parents. We are currently reviewing the support they have in Wales.
“Any kinship caregivers who are having difficulties or need advice and guidance should contact their local authorities to discuss and determine what support and advice they can get.”
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