House of Commons · Westminster Hall
13 November 2024 · 14 other contributors · 4,776 words
Opened by Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Responding minister: Janet Daby
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Alistair Strathern raised concerns about kinship carers in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I urge the Government to bring forward the £44 million needed for pilots as quickly as possible. I also ask for further consideration of measures to widen access to therapeutic support for kinship carers and to voice the need for kinship care leave as part of workers' rights expansion.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the challenges faced by kinship carers, who deliver better outcomes than many other parts of the care sector but are often underserved. One in eight kinship carers worry they might not be able to continue their caring responsibilities, and young people in kinship care could face different levels of support based on their statutory context.
Thanked all kinship carers, especially those in her city, and highlighted the need for training and preparation support similar to that given to adoptive parents and foster carers.
Asked if the Minister would give way for a question.
Stressed the importance of ending the postcode lottery for kinship carers and ensuring equality of service across local authorities.
Highlighted the urgent need to provide a non-means-tested mandatory allowance for all kinship families to prevent more children from entering an overstretched care system. Asked the Minister for reassurance that Elaine Duffy, a kinship carer working full time who had to adapt her home for three grandchildren and went part-time, would receive financial support through the 10 pilot areas.
Said that kinship carers are often struggling to make ends meet and need adequate allowances to ensure the best chances for the children they look after.
Welcomed the boost for foster carers but noted that kinship carers did not see similar financial provision.
Suggested that the Isle of Wight should be considered as one of the 10 local authority areas to benefit from any Budget money for kinship care trials.
Thanked the Minister for her leadership on kinship care issues and reiterated three points: securing parental leave for all kinship carers, legally backing family-led plans as alternatives to care, and financially supporting kinship care as an alternative to foster care.
The hon. Member welcomed the Minister's work in children's social care and highlighted the need for a wider range of support, including financial and non-financial assistance.
Acknowledged the £44 million initiative as a groundbreaking step but stated that more is needed beyond these pilots. Asked if consideration is being given to bringing best practice examples from other employers such as John Lewis, B&Q, and Card Factory into Government structures to support kinship-friendly employers.
Highlighted the economic benefits of providing universal allowances to kinship carers and urged the Conservative party to be more ambitious in supporting them through legislation.
Suggested that businesses and employers should be more flexible in granting leave to kinship carers who often take on the responsibility at a moment of crisis.
Emphasised that kinship carers should receive equal financial allowances and training support as essential for their role.
Asked if Peterborough city council's work on kinship care families will be taken into consideration when deciding which local authorities will be included in the trial, without seeking a commitment from the Minister.
Government Response
Janet DabyI congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin on securing this important debate and thank all kinship carers for their excellent caring work. The Government recognise the importance of supporting kinship carers, and I announce £40 million to trial a new financial allowance for up to 10 local authorities, equivalent to foster carer allowances. This is the single biggest investment by any Government in kinship care to date. Additionally, the appointment of the first national kinship care ambassador, Jahnine Davis, aims to advocate for kinship children and their carers. New statutory guidance for local authorities has been published to ensure consistent support and services for kinship families. The Department for Education introduced kinship leave offering a pay and leave entitlement to eligible staff who become kinship carers, setting an example for other employers. We are supporting the delivery of 140 peer support groups across England and delivering training and support packages for all kinship carers. Virtual school heads have been expanded to champion education and attendance for children in kinship care. The adoption and special guardianship support fund has been renamed to ensure families are aware of their entitlements, incentivising local authorities to make applications on behalf of kinship carers needing therapeutic support.