Kinship care, otherwise known as care by relatives or family friends, is the most significant form of out-of home care globally for children who are unable to live with their parents. Surprisingly, the importance of kinship care has only recently begun to be seriously acknowledged, and it is emerging as a policy and practice issue that needs to be addressed in its own right. This form of care remains largely unregulated, with most families organising alternative care for their children without contact with external agencies. While kinship care can provide enormous benefits to children, particularly when compared to non-family based care, there are concerns that many carers may be struggling to cope without access to support, and that some children in kinship care are exposed to harm.
This paper aims to present information about the prevalence of kinship care, describe its practice and related issues in different countries, and make recommendations to protect and support children living in kinship care arrangements. It is divided into 3 sections:
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The scope and characteristics of kinship care
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The required policy and legislative framework for kinship care
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The role of practitioners in assessing, supporting and monitoring kinship care
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