Learning from Research Webinar: Supporting kinship care – Messages from two decades of UK research

THEME

Joan Hunt OBE has over 30 years’ experience as an empirical researcher in family law and policy, at the universities of Bristol, Oxford and latterly Cardiff, where she has been Honorary Professor in the School of Law and Politics since 2013. In addition to undertaking empirical research on many aspects of kinship care she has produced several overviews of national and international research, briefing papers for government, and practice guides for social workers. She recently completed two empirical research studies, the first documenting the perspectives of specialist kinship social workers, the second exploring special guardianship disruptions in Wales. 

In this webinar Joan will present findings from her overview of two decades of UK research, published in 2020. This was commissioned by Family Rights Group and funded as part of a grant from the John Ellerman Foundation. The presentation will focus on research messages on the topic of kinship care support.

The need to support kinship families is a persistent theme in research and a great deal is now known about the types of support which need to be available and readily accessible. These include services which virtually all kinship families are likely to need – financial assistance and information/advice - to specific services which families may need at some point. These encompass direct services to the child (e.g. therapeutic intervention, help with education); services to enable carers to help the child with specific issues (e.g. understanding and explaining their situation); and services to support carers (e.g. emotional support; help managing changed family relationships and contact). Unfortunately the research overview also consistently highlights shortfalls in provision and a number of cross-cutting issues which need to be addressed. 

PRESENTER

This session will be presented by Joan Hunt OBE with over 30 years’ experience as an empirical researcher in family law and policy, at the universities of Bristol, Oxford and latterly Cardiff, where she has been Honorary Professor in the School of Law and Politics since 2013.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The session is aimed at social work managers, supervising social workers, children’s social workers, guardian ad litems, other professionals and foster and kinship carers, special guardians and adopters.

Members can view all past Learning from Research webinars here

FEES

Members: FREE
Non-members: £20+VAT.

Places on this event are limited, so early booking is recommended.

CONTACT

Telephone 020 7520 7520
Email conferences@corambaaf.org.uk

Members book here