Kinship Voices: listening to kinship carers

Gloucestershire County Council recently hosted Kinship Voices: A Conversation with Councillors, bringing together kinship carers and elected members to share experiences and discuss how best to support children who are cared for by relatives or close family friends. 

When parents are unable to look after their child, kinship care enables a relative or someone close to the child to step in and provide stability within a familiar network.  

The event provided councillors with first-hand insight into the realities of kinship care, as a young person, Perran, and kinship carers told their stories. They spoke about their experiences: of stepping into caring roles, often at short notice and during periods of family crisis; the importance of early information, clear guidance and practical support; and the positive impact of feeling recognised, listened to and understood. 

Perran said: “What started as a kind gesture turned into something permanent – and something really special. Kinship care isn’t always easy. One of the hardest things is that life has more rules. There are permissions needed for things that most teenagers don’t think twice about – sleepovers, trips... I know the rules are there to keep people safe… but I think adults sometimes forget how those rules feel when you’re the young person living with them. What makes the biggest difference is being listened to.” 

Carers explained that while kinship care enables children to remain within their families and communities, the transition into caring roles can be complex and requires timely, consistent support. 

The feedback provided will help councillors ensure that future decisions are informed not only by data and research, but also by lived experience. All councillors were invited to make a pledge at the end of the event, which will be reviewed in three months’ time to ensure progress is made. 

Cllr Ben Evans, cabinet member for children’s safeguarding and care at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Kinship carers provide an amazing level of support, care and love for children and young people. The overriding message I keep hearing is the joy that those children and young people bring to their lives. We’re here to listen to the challenges they face and as a county council to try to minimise those. 

“Hearing directly from kinship carers helps us understand what works and where improvements are needed. Listening to carers, alongside foster carers and other partners, supports our ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for children across Gloucestershire.” 

The council has been a strong advocate for kinship care and is one of the first local authorities to pay kinship carers at the same rate as foster carers which, together with the Kinship Local Offer, demonstrates the council’s continued commitment to supporting and recognising the vital role kinship carers play in caring for children who cannot live with their parents. 

Click here to watch a video from the event.