#ThisIsKinshipCare | Kinship Care Week 2025
Despite increased government and national awareness, many people do not understand what kinship care actually is. Kinship care means that children whose parents are unable to look after them on a short or long term basis are cared for by other relatives, like grandparents, uncles or siblings, or by other adults who have a connection to the child, such as neighbours or a close friend of the family.
Kinship Care Week (6 – 12 October) is an opportunity to raise awareness about the amazing role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society. It is a time to celebrate and recognise all that kinship carers do for the children they love and look after. Kinship Care Week is a chance to think about the support that kinship carers provide to one another and for local authorities to think about their kinship local offer.
This years’ theme is #ThisIsKinshipCare. Throughout the week CoramBAAF will be sharing a range of information, publishing new resources and hosting an event.
We recommend taking a look at Kinship’s free digital toolkit - packed full of ideas to help you get planning and raise awareness of kinship care during the week. CoramBAAF have also created fact cards and posters that can be shared within your local authority and with external organisations. Share #ThisIsKinshipCare on any social media posts to increase awareness.
On Tuesday 7 October we will be hosting a Breakfast Briefing about ‘What is kinship care?’. We invite everyone to join us between 9am – 9.55am at our open access event. It’s an introductory session designed for professionals across health, education, housing, social work and other organisations.
Drawing on 14 years of experience in a local authority kinship care team, our Kinship Consultant Ann Horne will reflect on the vital role of social workers in supporting kinship families to ensure children thrive within their family networks in a blog we will share on Wednesday 8 October.
We are thrilled to also be able to publish a new practice note about ‘National Minimum Standards for Fostering: implications for kinship foster care in England’. This practice note will be available for free for members, or to purchase in our bookshop.
As Kinship Care Week concludes, CoramBAAF is delighted to be hosting our second Kinship Conference on 13 October. We will explore how local authorities can best support kinship families through the development of their kinship local offers. The event is now sold out but add your name to the waiting list to be contacted if spaces become available!
We’re grateful to everyone who joins us in recognising Kinship Care Week. Our commitment to raising awareness, amplifying the needs of kinship families and enabling good social work practice continues throughout the year.
Clare Seth, Kinship Consultant, CoramBAAF