Looking after someone else's child

Kinship care is when a child lives with close relatives, usually grandparents, aunts or uncles, brothers or sisters, a stepparent, stepbrother or stepsister, or someone who isn't related but knows the child well, like a godparent or close family friend.

There are different types of kinship care:

Informal kinship care

This is a private arrangement you have with the birth parent(s) or someone with parental responsibility. It does not involve the local authority or any court orders.

The child is classed as a 'child in need' and overall parental responsibility - who can make decisions on things like where the child can go to school - remains with the birth parent(s).

As an informal kinship carer you can get support from the local authority with guidance on parenting a child and signposting to therapeutic services for those children with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

Formal kinship care

This is when a child comes to live with you at the request of the local authority. If this happens, we will first carry out basic checks about your home life and your ability to care for the child. We then temporarily approve you as a 'friends and family foster carer'.

We'll work closely with you to provide support. You can get an allowance to meet the costs of caring for the child and can work towards an additional 'skills level payment' by completing mandatory training. You won't be able to claim Child Benefit or Child Tax Credits.

In this case the child is classed as 'looked after' and the local authority shares parental responsibility - who can make decisions on things like where the child can go to school - with the birth parent(s).

Situations can change over time. You may find you become a different type of kinship carer, or want to apply to the court for a long-term arrangement.

If you want to make a longer-term commitment to the child in your care you can apply through the family court for a Child Arrangement Order (previously known as a Residence Order) or a Special Guardianship Order.

• A Child Arrangement Order (CAO) says where a child will live, who can spend time with the child and for how long. You share parental responsibility with the child's parents until they are 18 years old, unless the court says otherwise. You will make most everyday decisions for the child, such as whether they go on school trips or need medical treatment, but you will need to get consent from the child's parents to make major decisions about their care.
• A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) allows the child to permanently live with the special guardian named on the order until they are 18. Whilst you have much more parental responsibility you may still need to get permission from the birth parents for certain things. Unlike adoption, it is not a lifelong order, and it doesn't legally end the child's relationship with their birth families.

If you make an application for either order, the court will request that a Social Worker completes an assessment of the prospective carer before a decision is made. This will include criminal history, parenting capacity, references and life experiences.

If the order is granted, you may be entitled to a means-tested allowance. You can claim Child Benefit and Child Maintenance. You may also be eligible for Child Tax and Working Tax Credits/Universal Credits.

There are many reasons why a child may need to live with a relative or close friend, including a family breakdown, illness, drug or alcohol dependencies and trauma.

These events can be challenging for a child to cope with so they may need a greater level of support from you.

We offer a range of training courses which are designed to give you the knowledge and skills that will help you navigate a variety of issues such as:

• Alcohol and drug training
• Autism spectrum conditions and behaviour
• Awareness of child abuse and neglect
• Attachment training
• Contact for looked after children
• First aid for young people
• Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Memory books and boxes
• Young mental health and first aid

Family and Friends Foster Carers must complete some training. Your allocated Social Worker will inform you of which courses you are required to attend.

All training is optional for Special Guardianship and Child Arrangement Order carers. Please request a training manual from: learning.matters@kirklees.gov.uk.

Our Connected Persons Team are dedicated to helping local children and carers living in kinship arrangements at any time during the child's life up to the age of 18.

There's a range of support, advice and services available, tailored to your needs, including:

• practical parenting support,
• help and advice with finances,
• training opportunities,
• therapeutic support,
• support to maintain relationships with birth parents, siblings and extended family (family time),
• peer support groups, both for carers and children,
• WhatsApp support group for carers, and
• access to the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF).

Contact the Connected Persons Team for more information or advice at CPST.Support@kirklees.gov.uk.

Other support available

• Children's peer support group - This children's group enables children of all ages, who live with connected persons carers to come together in their very own space. It promotes peer support and encourages friendships in a safe environment. Speak to the Connected Persons Team for information.
• Constitution of Family and Friends Carers Together - has regular meetings, events and activities with an aim to raise funds to provide a support network and improve health and wellbeing. Email for details.
• Kirklees Virtual School - this charity supports and connects kinship carers, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward and improves educational outcomes for children in care.
• Kinship Kirklees Support Group - offers carers the opportunity to come together to talk, share stories, support each other, and exchange advice and coping mechanisms.
• My Max Card - helps carers save money on days out such as visiting zoos and historical buildings or bowling. This discount card costs £3.50 and is available by emailing familyandfriends.treasurer@gmail.com.

'Parental responsibility' is a term used to describe a range of legal rights and responsibilities parents have in relation to raising a child.

The main responsibilities are to provide a home and to care for the child.

Responsibilities also cover day-to-day decisions like choosing where the child goes to school, agreeing their medical treatment, choosing their religion and agreeing to any change of name.

Caring for a child that isn't your own doesn't automatically give you parental responsibility.

We will explain who has parental responsibility to you in your circumstances and work closely with you to provide support.