Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Kinship Carer Identification

23 February 2026 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Tom Collins Lab Worcester

Children & FamiliesNHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tom Collins raised concerns about kinship carer identification in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • UK Parliament debate on Kinship Carer Identification highlights 100,000 children cared for by kinship carers in the UK.
  • Carers face difficulties proving parental responsibility, causing delays in medical treatment and other services.
  • MP proposes an authorised photographic kinship carer ID card to improve access to care and reduce administrative burdens.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tom Collins Lab Worcester

Around 100,000 children in the UK are looked after by kinship carers who provide valuable stability and help preserve their sense of identity. Despite its benefits, kinship care remains undervalued and under-recognised by councils, lacking obligations to explore suitable placements. Carers often struggle to prove parental responsibility at hospitals, schools, and doctors, leading to delays in medical treatment. The MP highlighted the experiences of Clare, Donna, Caroline, Steph, and Christine, emphasising the need for an authorised photographic kinship carer ID card as proposed by Kinship Carers UK. This card would improve access to care and prevent reliving past trauma, saving money on rebooked appointments and social worker time. The MP called for a meeting with the Minister and Secretary of State for Health to formulate a plan to issue authorized kinship carer ID cards by the end of 2028 and adopt them by 2035.

Other contributors (1)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Acknowledged the importance of kinship care in Northern Ireland.

Government Response

Josh MacAlister

The Minister acknowledged the commitment of kinship carers and their significant impact on children's lives. He outlined several government initiatives to support kinship care, including legislation requiring local authorities to offer family group decision-making processes, funding for peer support groups, therapeutic help through the adoption and special guardianship support fund, a national definition of kinship care, and a large financial trial providing weekly allowances equivalent to foster carers' minimum allowance. The Minister also committed to launching a review of the parental leave system, improving data on kinship care, ensuring statutory footing for virtual school heads in 2027, and supporting children with special educational needs. On identification issues, the Minister pledged to explore ways to ensure professionals understand kinship care through conversations with Kinship Carers UK and other relevant departments.

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