House of Commons · General Debate
05 July 2022 · 1 other contributor
Opened by Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Munira Wilson raised concerns about kinship care in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Proposes a Bill to provide statutory definitions, allowances, parental leave, education provisions for kinship carers who take responsibility for children whose parents are unable to care for them. She highlights the financial and personal costs incurred by kinship carers such as April, who took in her nephew after his mother's terminal illness diagnosis. The current system lacks support for informal arrangements despite potential savings for social services.
Calls for financial and practical support for kinship carers, including weekly payments equal to those of foster carers, employment leave rights, equivalent educational benefits as looked-after children, and a statutory definition of kinship care. She emphasises the benefits to children in terms of mental health, education, and employment outcomes compared to care leavers. Criticises current unfairness and uncertainty in social services for kinship carers.