Kinship Local Offer

There are many options for caring for somebody else’s child. They all have their own legal framework.  

If the Local Authority becomes involved:

1. There will be an assessment on how best to meet the child or young person’s needs.
2. A decision will be made as to the support that will be required and whether or not the child or young person would need to become cared for.  

The Family and Friends Care guidance 2.12 states:  

“Local authorities and their partners should make sure that family and friends carers are aware of relevant support services, and that these can be readily accessed by those caring for children whether or not these are cared for by the Local Authority.  

Whilst recognising the requirements which may go with a particular legal status, it is essential that services are not allocated solely on the basis of the child’s legal status, and that commissioners and providers of services are aware that many children in family and friends care have experienced multiple adversities similar to those of children who are cared for by Local Authorities.  

Where support services are identified as necessary to meet the child’s needs, these should not be withheld merely because the child is living with a carer under an informal arrangement rather than in a placement with a foster carer or with a person with a residence or Special Guardianship Order or an adopter.” 

The Local Authority has a duty to provide support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to children in need, which will ensure that wherever possible children’s needs are met through the best use of resources designed to safeguard and promote their welfare. 

This will help to ensure that, subject to meeting the statutory criteria, children do not become cared for by the Local Authority unless that is the most appropriate way to safeguard and promote the child or young person’s welfare.  

Support services

Support services are available to families without the child or young person becoming cared for. Therefore children should not become cared for if the only reason for doing so, is to access these services. 

Local authorities should make the decision of whether or not a child or young person becomes cared for (or ceases to be cared for), based on an assessment of the individual child or young person’s needs and circumstances.  

There are some differences between the entitlement to different forms of support by informal family and friends carers and by those who are foster carers to a child or young person who are cared for by the Local Authority. 
Find information on support for kinship carers.