A day in the life of

a kinship carer

#KinshipCareWeek

• Introduce Mentor

• Define kinship care

• Outline Kinship Care Week

• Hear Frances’ story

• Explore what kinship carers’ needs are

Today’s webinar

Mentor’s mission

To promote the health and wellbeing of

children and young people and prevent

alcohol and drug misuse.

Research Programmes Policy

Develop life skills that build resilience

to risk in children & young people

How we do it

Mentor-ADEPIS is publicly acknowledged as

the leading source of evidence-based

resources for alcohol and drug education

and prevention for schools.

Mentor-ADEPIS

Kinship care is an

arrangement for a

family member or

close friend to care

for children whose

parents are unable

to look after them.

What is kinship care?

The most common

reason for children

entering kinship care is

parental drug and

alcohol abuse (67%).

Reasons for kinship care

Mentor’s kinship care work

Our experience shows that kinship carers play a vital role in keeping children safe from drugs and alcohol.

Their attitudes and behaviours can help shape young people’s views and help keep them safe.

The role of kinship carers

A recent study found that

77% of kinship carers

have asked for

professional support...

Why are we here today?

Practically?

Emotionally?

Financially?

What do kinship carers need:

• Knowledge about the child’s issues

• Advice on how to talk to the children

• Education and training

• Knowing what to do if they’re concerned about their child

• Peer and one-to-one support

• Help lines or a point of contact

• Resources and further information

Practical needs

• Empathy and gentleness

• Encouragement and positivity

• Knowing they’re not alone

• Assurance that they can make a positive difference

• A non-judgmental, non-blaming attitude

• Awareness or understanding of their situation

Emotional needs

• Understanding what kind of carer

you are and what support is there

• Child Benefit? Tax Credits? Kinship

Carer Allowance?

• Paying for food, clothes, school

supplies, toys

• Supporting yourselves as well

Financial needs

• One-to-one support

• Peer support groups

• Couples’ therapy

• Family group conferencing

• Drop-in sessions

• Educational groups

• Respite services

Types of support

Kinship

Care

Guide for

England

Alcohol

& Drugs:

Guide for

Kinship

Carers

Kinship Care Guide for Scotland

Resources + advice

#KinshipCareWeek

For more information visit

mentoruk.org.uk/kinshipcareweek