Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Kinship Carers

18 October 2022 · 7 other contributors · 11,070 words

Opened by Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

Responding minister: Kelly Tolhurst

Children & Families

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Munira Wilson raised concerns about kinship carers in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Kim, a kinship carer, faced financial and emotional hardships due to reduced support from social services.
  • A Kinship survey found that 40% of kinship carers could not afford household bills and one in four struggled with food expenses.
  • The government committed to improving financial allowances and educational support for children in kinship care.

Key requests to Government

The government should implement the recommendations from the independent review of children's social care by providing weekly allowances at the same level as foster carers and giving kinship carers paid leave when a child starts living with them. Additional educational support for children in kinship care, such as pupil premium funding and priority school choice, should also be provided.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham

Kim, a kinship carer for her grandchild, faced financial and emotional hardships due to the lack of support from social services. She initially received an allowance but it was means-tested and later reduced, leaving her struggling to meet increased costs as her granddaughter grew older. The survey by Kinship showed that 40% of kinship carers could not afford household bills and one in four struggled with food expenses. Current definitions and support mechanisms for kinship care are inadequate compared to those for foster care, leading to poor outcomes for children who should be supported through kinship arrangements.

Other contributors (7)
  • Andrew Gwynne Ind Gorton and Denton

    Andrew Gwynne, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on kinship care, highlighted that there will be nearly 100,000 children in care by 2032 unless systematic changes are implemented. He pointed out severe financial hardship faced by 75% of kinship carers and the scarcity of legal aid, which further strains families already under emotional and financial pressure. Gwynne also mentioned that kinship carers often face immense challenges like navigating a convoluted legal system and experiencing trauma themselves.

  • David Linden SNP Glasgow East

    David Linden highlighted the high number of kinship carers in his Glasgow constituency, noting the challenges they face due to poverty and lack of support during the pandemic. He called for more comprehensive employment legislation that addresses caring responsibilities and praised local organizations supporting kinship carers.

  • Helen Hayes Lab Dulwich and West Norwood

    Pays tribute to the work of kinship carers, highlighting their challenges such as financial strain, lack of support from local authorities, and the emotional toll on children. Mentions that 180,000 families are in similar situations and criticises cuts to early help services.

  • Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby

    Acknowledges the hon. Member's work on the issue and highlights that many families in Liverpool, West Derby feel ignored by the Government, entering the cost of living crisis with 75% in severe financial hardship.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Mr. Shannon emphasised the importance of kinship care, expressing concern over a case where a 12-year-old boy was located 100 miles from his siblings and highlighting the high rate of special educational needs among children in kinship care compared to the general population. He also mentioned the financial difficulties faced by carers during the cost of living crisis. Asked about additional assistance for kinship carers looking after educationally challenged children, noting that 28% of those in kinship care face educational challenges compared to a national average of 6%.

  • Margaret Ferrier Ind Rutherglen and Hamilton West

    Raising children is expensive, with 89% of kinship carers reporting financial worries over the past year. Margaret Ferrier raised the issue of additional support needs for children in kinship care arrangements, emphasizing the difficulty for carers when both the carer and child lack access to appropriate support. She stressed the importance of formal diagnosis to facilitate timely access to necessary services.

  • Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden

    Called for the Minister to consider financial issues faced by kinship carers, highlighting a case in her constituency where a grandmother had to spend her own money to care for grandchildren while parents were experiencing difficulties. Social services only provided funding after placing children in the grandmother's care.

Government Response

Kelly Tolhurst

The Minister thanked the hon. Member for Twickenham and acknowledged the work of Andrew Gwynne and his wife in caring for their grandchild. She highlighted the importance of kinship carers, outlining government initiatives such as a £1 million funding to support peer groups for kinship carers, and a commitment to improve educational entitlements and access to financial allowances. The Minister also mentioned the establishment of a national implementation board to oversee reforms in children's social care, addressing disparities in local authority placements for kinship care and promoting better data use through technology projects.

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