National Kinship Care Strategy: Implications for social workers and local authorities

WATCH THE RECORDING

RESOURCES

THEME

The first-ever National Kinship Care Strategy has been published. This session aims to explore the implications of the strategy on social work with kinship families and the impact it has on local authority planning, practice and workforce.  

The panel event will take place online via zoom on Tuesday 30th January 11.30am – 1.30pm.

More details to follow.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The session is aimed at social work practitioners, managers, supervising social workers, children’s social workers, panel chairs, kinship carers, special guardians and other professionals.

For social workers, reflection on this session may contribute to your continuing professional development (CPD).

CHAIR

Ellen Broomé, Managing Director, CoramBAAF

Ellen, was appointed Managing Director for CoramBAAF in February 2021. She previously held the role of Director of Children and Families at NatCen, the UK’s leading social research organisation, and was previously Chief Executive at Coram Family and Childcare, where she worked for five years. She brings over 15 years of experience of strategic leadership, research, policy, advocacy and communications from previous roles including at the Children’s Society, the National Autistic Society and Parliament. 

PANEL

Lorna Stabler, Research Associate, CASCADE

Lorna has been a Research Associate at CASCADE, Cardiff University for five years where  research focuses on relationships that are important to children and young people who have involvement with children’s services, and how those relationships can best be supported and strengthened. She is leading a Nuffield Foundation funded study exploring the characteristics and needs of Special Guardianship families in Wales. She is also an ESRC funded PhD student at DECIPHer, Cardiff University. Her PhD research focuses on the needs of families where an older brother or sister is caring full time for their younger brother or sister as a kinship carer.

Shanayd Warren

Shanayd is raising her four-year old niece. Her sister, the child’s mother, had difficulties from an early age and was placed into care. Due to mental health difficulties and unmet needs, she sadly passed away. Shanayd is co-chair of CoramBAAF’s Kinship Care Advisory Committee, and co-chairs the Kinship Care Alliance. Since 2021, Shanayd has been volunteering for Adopt London West, co-facilitating a peer support with social worker and has joined memberships on various kinship care related network groups, Kinship Care Reference Group (formerly known as Adoption & Special Guardianship Leadership Board) and Family Rights Group Kinship Carers panel.

Jacqui Lawrence is a Permanence Service Leader in a Local Authority in London and has responsibility for Fostering, Adoption and the Services Children’s Homes. She is also a Panel Member of the Independent Review Mechanism, Trainer Associate and Co Chair of the CoramBAAF Kinship Committee

Kim Smith is Assistant Head of Service for Birmingham Children’s Trust with responsibilities for kinship care. She is passionate about providing effective support for kinship families in Birmingham, which is the largest local authority in Europe. She is an active member of CoramBAAF Kinship Care Advisory Committee.

Dr. Paul Shuttleworth, Senior Lecturer, Kingston University

Ann Horne and Clare Seth, Kinship Consultants, CoramBAAF

Ann Horne and Clare Seth are CoramBAAF’s Kinship Consultants. They have both worked in local authorities as social workers and managers, with experience in kinship care, fostering and adoption between them. They co-facilitate CoramBAAF’s Private Fostering Practice Forums.