Kinship Carers Employment Leave 2024-03-07

2024-03-07

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer

Twickenham

▸ Context

The question addresses the issue of kinship carers, who are close family members looking after children unable to live with their parents. A national kinship care strategy was published in December.

If she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential merits of introducing a right to paid employment leave for kinship carers. The Minister just referenced the Government's kinship strategy, which recognised that 45% of kinship carers give up work and a similar number reduce their hours permanently due to caring responsibilities.

Kevin Hollinrake

The hon. Lady raises a very important point. We call on local authorities to be considerate to people who are in employment when they take on a child to look after in a kinship care situation. Companies such as John Lewis provide a considerate approach, and we urge others to do the same. Local authorities also have budgets allocated for this issue.

▸ Assessment & feedback

Making paid employment leave a statutory right instead of only publishing guidance

We Call On Local Authorities Encourage Local Authorities

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Q2 Partial Answer

Munira Wilson Lib Dem

Twickenham

▸ Context

The Minister mentioned a national kinship care strategy and a £20 million package of support for kinship carers in 2024-25. The questioner points out that many kinship carers give up work or reduce their hours.

The Minister referenced the Government's kinship strategy and the £20 million package of support. However, they noted a survey showing that 45% of kinship carers give up work due to caring responsibilities, while a similar number have to permanently reduce their hours. Given these challenges, why is paid employment leave not made a statutory right?