Kinship Local Offer

Children may be cared for by members of their extended family, friends or other people who are connected with them for many reasons and in a variety of different arrangements.  

Our Kinship Local Offer sets out how we will help kinship carers, to give children and young people the best possible family experience whatever the child’s legal status, needs and circumstances.  

About the Kinship Local Offer

The main principle of the kinship local offer is that children should be enabled to live with their families unless it is not consistent with their safety and welfare. 

Those who cannot live with their parents should, where appropriate, remain with members of their extended family or friends, as this will provide a better alternative and avoid them growing up within the public care system.  

Read more about values, principles and objectives. 

Responsibility for our Kinship Local Offer

The Head of Service for Care is the senior manager responsible for our Kinship Local Offer.  

The Director of Children and Families, Assistant Director of Safeguarding and Care and kinship senior managers ensure staff: 

• understand the Kinship Local Offer
• have appropriate training
• operate within the framework 

so that it is applied in a consistent and fair manner.

The Director of Children’s Social Care and Head of Service will ensure that local partners are: 

• aware of their responsibilities towards children living in these arrangements
• proactive in meeting their needs

The Director of Children’s Social Care and Head of Service also take a lead role in ensuring that the Kinship Local Offer is publicised. This is so anyone considering becoming a kinship carer is: 

• aware of its content
• clear about how to contact teams in Southwark and other agencies for further information

Review and consultation

The Kinship Local Offer will be reviewed and consulted on every three years.