Kinship carers play a vital role in providing stable, nurturing homes for children who are unable to live with their parents. This role can force kinship carers to navigate practical and emotional complexities to get the support they and the children they care for need. We decided to look at the issues facing kinship carers to see how the support they receive could be improved.
In an evidence session on 24 February 2022 comprising two panels, we heard from representatives for kinship carers, a local authority, COSLA and organisations that support and provide advice to kinship carers. We took oral and written evidence from the following organisations:
CELCIS
COSLA
Social Work Scotland
Perth and Kinross Council
Scottish Kinship Care Alliance
Citizens Advice Bureau (Peebles and District)
Citizens Advice Scotland
Child Poverty Action Group
Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland
The Promise Scotland
Following that evidence session, a number of kinship carers were invited into the Parliament to speak to Committee members about their experiences and the issues and barriers they face in accessing support, financial and otherwise. A note was made of this meeting.
On 31 March 2022 the Minister for Children and Young People appeared before the Committee to discuss the issues raised.
We are grateful to all those who shared their knowledge and experience.