Kinship care (also known as ‘family and friends care’ and ‘connected persons’) is when a child is looked after by someone they already know and trust.
Kinship arrangements can happen informally (without a legal order) or formally through the local authority. This page focuses on support for carers in formal kinship care arrangements where the child is looked after by Surrey County Council.
Page contents
- What is Kinship Fostering?
- How we support Kinship Carers in Surrey
- More resources
- Interested in Kinship Care or need support?
What is Kinship Fostering?
Kinship fostering occurs when a child is cared for by a relative, friend, or someone they already know and trust, rather than entering the wider care system. These arrangements often arise during times of family crisis.
Kinship carers must go through an approval process similar to other foster carers and receive training and support from Surrey County Council to ensure the best outcomes for the child.
A film by young people in kinship care
How we support Kinship Carers in Surrey
Social Worker and Kinship Practitioner
Every child in formal kinship care has a named social worker who focuses on their wellbeing, education and future. You’ll also have access to a Kinship Practitioner – a member of the fostering service who offers tailored support for your situation.
Your Kinship Practitioner will help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and they will check in regularly to offer advice and emotional support.
Practical Advice for Daily Life
Raising a child through kinship care often means stepping into parenting suddenly. Surrey County Council offers guidance to help you manage contact with birth family members, navigate school systems, and access the health services your child needs.
If you are unsure about what financial support you are entitled to, your Kinship Practitioner can explain what’s available and how to apply.
Emotional Support for Carers
Becoming a kinship carer can be both rewarding and stressful. That’s why we offer emotional support throughout your journey. You can speak confidentially with your Kinship Practitioner about any concerns or pressures you are facing. If needed, they can connect you with further support services, including counselling.
Training to Support Your Role
Surrey County Council offers free training to all formal kinship carers. This includes a mandatory two-day induction and short online courses to support your ongoing development. You’ll learn about topics like understanding trauma, managing behaviour, supporting education, and keeping children safe online.
There are also optional development mornings held twice a year, where carers can share ideas and deepen their knowledge in a supportive setting.
Local Support Groups
Being a kinship carer can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you don’t know others in the same situation. We run regular support groups for kinship carers across Surrey. These groups provide a chance to meet others, ask questions, and share experiences in a relaxed, understanding environment.
Support for the Child You Care For
Children in kinship care often need help understanding their past. Surrey offers life story work to help children make sense of their background in a safe and age-appropriate way. Therapeutic services may also be available to support emotional wellbeing.
The Virtual School team provides education support, and children in kinship care are supported to access the same services as fostered children where needed. Sibling relationships are respected and supported where it is safe and possible to keep children together.
Wider Family Help
Kinship carers can also access family support services provided across Surrey. This may include parenting programmes, help with housing or benefits, childcare advice, and targeted support through the family resilience teams. Your Kinship Practitioner can connect you to the right services at the right time.
More resources
Potential carers are encouraged to explore additional information and support through:
- Kinship
- CoramBAAF
- National Association of Therapeutic Parents
- UK Safer Internet Centre
- BBC Radio 4’s Bringing Up Britain, All About Fostering
Interested in Kinship Care or need support?
If you're currently caring for a child who is not your own, or planning to, and want to understand what help is available, please contact our kinship team. We’ll listen, explain your options, and help you decide what’s right for your family.