Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Kinship Care for Babies

22 February 2022 · 10 other contributors · 9,621 words

Opened by Andrea Leadsom Con South Northamptonshire

Responding minister: Will Quince

Benefits & WelfareChildren & Families

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrea Leadsom raised concerns about kinship care for babies in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Ms Leadsom highlighted the challenges kinship carers face in her constituency, including inadequate support and financial assistance.
  • She cited a case of a constituent who had to take unpaid leave to care for his niece, exemplifying the difficulties kinship carers encounter.
  • Ms Leadsom noted that 200,000 children are in kinship care across the UK, with over 40,000 aged between 0 and 4 years.

Key requests to Government

Ms Leadsom asked the government to consider flexible work as standard and review employment practices to better support families involved in kinship care. She also highlighted her constituent's employer considering a review of its policies following his story, and she hoped for similar actions from other employers across the UK.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Andrea Leadsom Con South Northamptonshire

Ms Leadsom highlighted the challenges faced by kinship carers in her constituency, particularly when it comes to receiving adequate support and financial assistance. She cited a case of a constituent who had to take unpaid leave from his employment to care for his niece as an example of the difficulties faced by kinship carers. Additionally, she mentioned that 200,000 children are in kinship care across the UK, with over 40,000 aged nought to four. She emphasized the importance of the early years for child development and noted that 96% of kinship carers expect their children to live with them permanently.

Other contributors (10)
  • Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton

    I am concerned about the welfare of babies in kinship care arrangements. There is a growing number of children under one being raised by relatives or family friends due to parental incapacity or unfitness, raising issues around funding and support. Andrew Gwynne, a kinship carer to his grandson Lyle, highlighted the challenges faced by kinship carers such as legal costs and lack of support. He called for proactive assessments by local authorities and recognising practical consequences with paid leave and specialist advice. There are around 180,000 children in kinship care.

  • Barbara Keeley Lab Worsley

    The current financial assistance for kinship carers is inadequate, leaving many struggling to meet basic needs. I am calling for an immediate review of the support available.

  • Ben Bradley Con North East Derbyshire

    Discussed the pressures on children's services and highlighted kinship care as a less expensive and more beneficial option compared to fostering or adoption. Mentioned the inconsistent support for kinship carers, the importance of free childcare access, and the need for financial incentives. Cited £400,000 investment in Nottinghamshire for a specific kinship support scheme.

  • David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale

    Called on Ms Hayes to conclude her remarks and ensured the Minister had sufficient time to respond.

  • David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

    I congratulate my right hon. Friend on securing this debate. I propose that local authorities explore kinship care options early in the decision-making process when a child first enters care to ensure they are placed in a safe and familial environment. The support of employers is vital for family members taking on caring responsibility, and we need to address financial challenges and entitlement difficulties.

  • Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood

    Pays tribute to kinship carers who care for babies and children when relatives or close friends are unable to do so. Points out the number of babies subject to care proceedings has increased from over 2,400 in 2012-13 to more than 2,900 in 2019-20. Criticises the lack of early help and support for vulnerable women during pregnancy and immediately after childbirth. Highlights that short-notice hearings are now the norm, with 86.3% of cases involving babies in 2019-20 being heard at short notice.

  • Katherine Fletcher Lab Nottingham East

    I want to develop the point that there are long-term, systemic issues for kinship carers. My hon. Friend agrees that my right hon. Friend the Member for South Northamptonshire (Dame Andrea Leadsom) is correct in highlighting the role employers can play in supporting family members coping with a shock event and addressing structural needs.

  • Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North

    Stressed that kinship care is not just about grandparents and highlighted the challenges faced by younger carers. Noted disparities in support systems between Scotland and England, emphasizing the importance of financial assistance for carers and equal treatment under universal credit. Praised Scottish policies like baby boxes and best start grants but called for improvements to ensure better outcomes for all children.

  • Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield

    Mr. Anderson highlighted the issue of kinship care, particularly in his constituency of Ashfield which has the highest number of looked-after children in Nottinghamshire. He shared personal experiences from working with homeless charities and emphasised the negative impact of the current care system on young people's future life chances and their tendency to enter a cycle of poverty and disadvantage. He cited an example of a local resident, Maxine, who took her granddaughter's three children into her care despite bureaucratic hurdles and financial difficulties. Anderson argued that providing support for such family members could offer better outcomes than the traditional care system.

  • Rebecca Long-Bailey Lab Salford and Eccles

    In Salford, the number of babies in kinship care has increased significantly. We need to ensure these children receive adequate financial support and early intervention services to address developmental needs.

Government Response

Will Quince

I thanked my right hon. Friend the Member for South Northamptonshire (Dame Andrea Leadsom) for securing this important debate and commended her work on 'The Best Start for Life'. I apologised to her for her constituent's experience and acknowledged the Government's commitment to supporting kinship carers. I highlighted the benefits of children remaining with their wider family when safe, noting it is about permanence, maintaining family links, and love. I addressed concerns around access to support and financial assistance, acknowledging inconsistencies in local authority provision but emphasising the importance of tailored support for individual needs. I recognised the significant financial impact of kinship care and committed to exploring ways to enhance support, including addressing disparities between foster parents, adopters, and kinship carers. I expressed sympathy with concerns raised about employment rights, housing, benefits, HMRC, universal credit, and child benefit issues faced by kinship carers. I reiterated my commitment to championing the needs of kinship carers across Government departments.

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