Kinship Care Week

PEGS Admin • October 8, 2024

Kinship Care Week: 7 to 13 October 2024

Kinship Care refers to a family arrangement where children are raised by relatives or close family friends when their biological parents are unable to care for them. This can occur due to various reasons. Kinship caregivers, often grandparents or aunts and uncles, provide the children with a stable, loving environment while preserving familial bonds and cultural heritage.



Kinship Care Week, celebrated in early October, shines a spotlight on the unique experiences of kinship families, raising awareness about their needs and the importance of offering them proper support. The week emphasises the critical role that kinship caregivers play in providing children with a safe and nurturing environment, often without the same support or recognition that foster or adoptive parents receive.


The Importance of Kinship Care


Kinship care plays a crucial role in maintaining family connections, offering children continuity, and reducing the trauma often associated with being removed from their biological parents. Children in kinship care often experience better outcomes than those placed in non-relative foster care, as they remain in familiar surroundings, maintain their sense of identity, and stay connected with their extended family.


Kinship caregivers typically step in during times of crisis, sometimes with little notice or preparation, and they often face unique challenges. These challenges include navigating complex legal systems, financial strain, and balancing their caregiving responsibilities with work or other family duties. Many kinship carers take on this role without formal training or support, driven by their love and commitment to the child.


Why Kinship Care Week Matters


Kinship Care Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness of these issues and advocate for greater recognition and support for kinship carers. It encourages communities, policymakers, and organisations to acknowledge the essential role these caregivers play and to ensure they have access to the necessary resources. The week also allows kinship families to come together, share their stories, and celebrate the resilience and dedication of those who step in to care for children. It’s a time to promote policy changes that provide kinship families with the financial, legal, and emotional support they need to thrive.


For more information, visit www.kinship.org.uk

By PEGS Admin March 18, 2026
We are thrilled to announce that the Allen Lane Foundation has generously funded a new Workshop Lead role to coordinate and deliver online workshops for parents and carers affected by Child-to-Parent Abuse (CPA) over the next 12 months. Parents and carers affected by CPA are often isolated, unsupported, and unsure where to turn. Our 2024 survey shows that 96% of parents feel isolated, 94% stressed, 92% scared, and 100% report an impact on emotional wellbeing. Over 70% have had to reduce or leave work. With demand for support rising to over 450 referrals per month and a 116% increase in November 2025 there is an urgent need for structured, accessible help. Expanding Online Workshops and 1:1 Support The new Workshop Lead will deliver a weekly online workshop for up to 15 participants, covering practical and emotional wellbeing topics such as stress management, goal-setting, and specialist techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Alongside the weekly sessions, the project will also run: Bi-monthly two-part specialist workshops Monthly wellbeing workshops  By taking the lead on workshop delivery, the Workshop Lead will free up our practitioner team to provide more personalised one-to-one support to high-risk parents, reaching an additional estimated 50 parents in need. Over 12 months, we anticipate that over 200 parents will benefit directly from group workshops, gaining tools to manage risk, improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and build confidence. The workshops will also create a safe space for peer connection, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. Measuring Impact We will track success through attendance figures, participant feedback, and pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture changes in confidence, coping strategies, and wellbeing. Practitioners will also monitor the effect of increased one-to-one support to ensure parents feel safer, supported, and better able to manage their situation. Michelle John, our founding director, says: "Allen Lane Foundation’s continued support enables us to reach more parents and provide the practical guidance and personal support they urgently need. This Workshop Lead role will make a real difference, helping parents feel safer, more confident, and connected, while allowing our practitioners to provide targeted one-to-one support where it’s needed most." We are incredibly grateful to the Allen Lane Foundation for their ongoing belief in our work. This funding allows us to expand our online support, reach more parents, and provide both group and personalised assistance for those affected by CPA.
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