We’ve produced a draft leaflet to explain the main elements of our Kinship Care Offer and we are inviting comments from the public on this document over the next 2 weeks. You can find the leaflet on the Children’s Policies page of our website, or simply click on the link below to read it in full:
| CLICK HERE TO READ OUR DRAFT KINSHIP CARE OFFER LEAFLET |
We have provided some information below about what Kinship Care is, and who can provide it, but our draft leaflet includes definitions and further details. It also covers where statutory responsibilities lie for each category of Kinship Care, what we expect from Kinship Carers and what support can be accessed for each category – including additional support which recognises the uniqueness of island life.
We hope anyone who is either receiving, or considering putting themselves forward to provide, Kinship Care will find this leaflet useful.
How to comment on the draft leaflet
You can email your comments on our draft Kinship Care Offer leaflet to familyscilly@scilly.gov.uk
All comments must be received by 5pm on 25 August 2026 to be considered for the next draft.
What Kinship Care is
Kinship Care is any situation in which a child is living with a friend or family member who is not their parent. Kinship Care arrangements can be temporary or long term. Some different categories of Kinship Care are listed below. You can learn about what each of these entails, and view some examples, in our draft leaflet.
- Informal Family Arrangements
- Private Fostering for children under 16 (or under 18 if disabled)
- Child Arrangements Order
- Special Guardianship
- Family and Friends (Kinship) Foster Care
Kinship Carers can include:
- A close relative of the child, for example a grandparent, brother or sister (including half-siblings)
- A close relative of the child’s sibling (on either side of the parent)
- A former step-parent or individual in a cohabitating relationship with the child’s parent
- A friend of the child, or of the child’s parent(s)
- A friend of the child’s close relative
- Professionals who have a trusted relationship with the child (such as a teacher, childminder, youth worker or former foster carer)
Further information
If, after reading the leaflet at the link above, you have any further questions about the different kinds of Kinship Care within our Local Offer, please email familyscilly@Scilly.gov.uk