Kinship care is when a child is cared for by a family member or someone they already know, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling or close family friend.
These arrangements allow children to remain within their family network, maintaining important relationships, identity and stability. There are different types of kinship care arrangements, and the support available may vary depending on the legal arrangement in place.
This section provides an overview of the different types of kinship care to help you understand what each arrangement means, and what support may be available.
Informal family and friend’s care
This is when a child is cared for by a relative or family friend through a private arrangement with their parents. There is no court order and the council is not formally involved. The child’s parents keep parental responsibility, which means they still make important decisions about the child’s life.
This type of care can happen quickly in a family emergency. However, carers may have limited legal authority and access to support.
Connected persons foster care
Connected persons foster care (also called kinship foster care or family and friends foster care) is when the council places a child with someone they already know, such as a relative or family friend.
The carer must be assessed and approved as a foster carer. The child is looked after by children’s services, and the council shares parental responsibility with the child’s parents. Foster carers receive training, support and a fostering allowance.
Special Guardianship Orders (SGO)
A Special Guardianship Order is a court order that gives a carer parental responsibility for a child until they turn 18.
Special guardians can make most decisions about the child’s upbringing, including education and health. The child’s parents still have some parental responsibility, but the special guardian can make the final decision in most situations.
SGOs provide a stable, long-term home for children who cannot live with their parents.
Child Arrangements Orders (CAO)
A Child Arrangements Order is a court order that sets out where a child will live and who they can spend time with.
If the order says the child lives with you, you will have parental responsibility alongside the parents. This allows you to make day-to-day decisions, but important decisions are shared with others who also have parental responsibility.
This option can give carers legal recognition without changing family relationships.
Private fostering
Private fostering is when a child is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative for 28 days or more.
You must tell your local council about this arrangement so they can check the child is safe and supported. The carer does not have parental responsibility, and parents remain responsible for major decisions.