Kinship care

Kinship care is where a relative or friend takes on the care of a child/young person when their parents cannot look after them.

There are many children who live with friends or family without the involvement of statutory services. These carers are often referred to as informal kinship carers, and the children are not Looked After.

Formal kinship care is when a child/young person is looked after by the local authority, and the child is placed in the care of relatives or friends by the local authority.

National Kinship Care website for Scotland

Mentor has launched the National Kinship Care website for Scotland which is the first of its kind.

The site is part funded by the Scottish Government. It provides kinship families with information and advice and training, policy updates, local and national support, and the latest news and events across Scotland.