The government has announced a major new investment aimed at strengthening support for kinship carers – family members such as grandparents, aunts and
uncles who step in to raise children when parents are unable to do so.
Backed by £126 million in funding, the initiative will see the launch of seven new Kinship Zones across England, with around 5,000 children expected to benefit from earlier and more consistent support.
Kinship carers play a crucial role in keeping children within their family networks, often at times of crisis. Many of the children they care for have experienced trauma and would otherwise be at risk of entering the formal care system, where long-term outcomes for education, health and employment are known to be poorer.
Despite this, kinship carers have historically received far less consistent financial support than foster carers or adoptive parents. Ministers say the new programme is designed to address that imbalance and recognise the vital contribution family carers make.
Under the pilot, eligible kinship carers in selected areas will receive a regular allowance per child, set at a level equivalent to that paid to foster carers. The scheme represents the largest government investment in kinship care to date and will initially run for up to three and a half years, with further expansion to be considered following a full evaluation.
Evidence already suggests kinship care can deliver better long-term outcomes for children. A 2021 study by University College London found that adults who grew up in kinship care were more likely to be employed and less likely to experience long-term illness than those who spent their childhoods in foster or residential care.
The pilot will begin in seven local authority areas, selected to reflect a broad mix of regions, demographics and service models:
- Bexley (Greater London)
- Bolton (North West)
- Newcastle (North East)
- North East Lincolnshire (East Midlands)
- Medway (South East)
- Thurrock (East of England)
- Wiltshire (South West)
Each Kinship Zone will receive a tailored package of funding and support, allowing councils to respond to local needs. Any savings generated for local authorities through the pilot will be reinvested into wider family support services.
The programme is being led by the Department for Education, which says the pilot will help determine how financial support for kinship carers should be delivered nationwide in the future. While some councils already offer assistance, the level and consistency of support currently varies significantly across England.
Outcomes for both children and carers will be closely monitored throughout the pilot by children’s care organisation Foundations, working in partnership with consultancy Alma Economics. Findings will be published to build a clear evidence base for future national policy decisions.
Ministers say the ultimate aim is to help more children grow up safely within their own families, reducing the need for formal care placements and ensuring carers receive the right help at the right time.
The Kinship Zones programme is being described as a significant step towards long-term reform – one that could reshape how kinship care is supported across England for years to come.
Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, said:
“As a country we owe kinship carers our thanks and our support, and the new financial allowance which we’re trialling as part of our plan for change recognises the vital role they play ensuring families can stay together.
We promised to introduce this scheme to support kinship carers who step up for the children they love and give every child the best possible start in life.
These Kinship Zones will lead the way in showing the impact for children when we unlock the power of grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who could care for their kin in the place of the care system”.
Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive of Foundations, said:
“Kinship carers play a vital role in helping to ensure that children can stay safely looked after in their family networks. That’s why we’re pleased to undertake the evaluation of the kinship financial allowances pilot announced today, to help to build the evidence base and shape future support for kinship carers and the children they care for”.
Jahnine Davies, National Kinship Care Ambassador, said :
“The launch of the Kinship Zones pilot marks an important milestone for kinship carers and the children they care for. For the first time, we have a government‑led initiative that will not only examine how best to provide financial support for kinship families but will also encourage local authorities to look holistically at the support they offer and adopt a genuine ‘think family’ approach.
Alongside this, my report, also published today, sets out key learning in this area, and I hope it will be a valuable resource for all local authorities as they review and strengthen their approach to kinship care. I look forward to working with the Kinship Zones and celebrating the launch of this vital pilot”.
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said :
“Kinship carers provide stability and love during moments of significant upheaval in a child’s life – their value often goes under-acknowledged, but the commitment they offer can be transformative.
The overwhelming majority of children in kinship care who I have spoken to as Children’s Commissioner tell me they feel loved and cared for, a true testament to the unique bonds formed during kinship care.
I have called for kinship carers to be given a financial allowance that supports the transition into these new living arrangements – so I am grateful to the government for listening and taking this important first step”.
Cathy Ashley OBE, Chief Executive of Family Rights Group said:
“All children should be raised safely in their family wherever possible. Kinship carers step in, often at a moment’s notice, to make that happen. They often save the state thousands in care costs but many face real financial hardship in doing so. The pilot is taking a groundbreaking step which will make a difference to 4,500 children and their families in seven areas.
In the meantime, as all local authorities develop their kinship local offer, this is a critical moment for national and local government to go further to build a fair, effective support system for all kinship families”.
James Bury, Head of Policy, Research and Development at CoramBAAF, said:
“This is an encouraging and positive important announcement for kinship carers and CoramBAAF welcomes the launch of the financial allowances pilot. This important initiative will provide much needed financial support to kinship families in seven local authorities.
Through our work supporting practice and hearing directly from families, we know the challenges that kinship carers can face, as well as the challenges facing local authorities in providing consistent and fair financial support. We look forward to seeing the impact of the pilots and look forward to this potentially leading to a wider roll-out to enable families across the country to benefit”.
Lucy Peake, Chief Executive of Kinship said:
“Today’s announcement is an important first step towards ensuring kinship families have the financial support they need to provide children with stable, loving homes. A guaranteed allowance equal to the foster care allowance will be life‑changing for kinship carers in the local authority areas where this is being piloted, many of whom struggle to afford the basics for the children they have unexpectedly stepped in to raise.
Following years of campaigning alongside kinship carers, we’re pleased the government has recognised the current system is inequitable and is putting a huge strain on kinship families, pushing many into poverty. Providing financial support to kinship families and investing in family networks will help children stay safely with those who love them, and reduce the need for more costly options in the care system.
Kinship carers hold our care system together, and they deserve the right support to continue doing so”. Photo by Sebastiandoe5, Wikimedia commons.