There is an increasing emphasis across the UK on keeping children within their circle of family and friends if they are unable to be cared for by their parents. If these carers are assessed as foster carers, they are known as family and friends or kinship foster carers.
Family and friends foster carers sometimes become foster carers at very short notice and may need additional support to get their homes ready or may need support to deal with some of the issues that arise from caring for a child that was already known to you such as when a grandparent has to limit their son or daughter's contact with the grandchild that they are fostering.
The guidance around family and friends foster care varies across the UK and it is important that family and friends foster carers are aware of the guidance and legislation that applies to them.
It is also important that family and friends carers are aware of their status and whether they have been assessed as foster carers as this can affect the levels of support that they are entitled to.
We have produced a range of resources to support family and friends foster carers.
Members of the Fostering Network log in here for more information and resources on family and friends foster care, and access to peer to peer support in our online community.
View our resources on Family and friends foster care
Part of the Key Resources in Foster Care series, this list gives details of recommended publications and organisations on the topic of family and friends carers.
Published as part of the Fostering Network's All You Need to Know Series, this guide is for everyone who is thinking about becoming a family and friends foster carer and for those who are family and friends foster carers already.
Recognising the unique situation of family and friends carers, this comprehensive resource book gives them all the information they need. Clear, practical and accessible, it sets out the process of becoming an approved foster carer, explains the legal and financial implications and offers guidance on managing behaviour and safer caring.
The Family Rights Group is a charity that offers information and support to grandparents and other family members who are looking after children and to families who children need social care assistance. The website features a wide range of information and there is a freephone helpline 0808 801 0366 which is open Monday - Friday 10am-3.30pm.
The Grandparents' Association is a membership organisation open to any grandparents. They offer information and advice to grandparents on a wide range of topics including education for their grandchildren and welfare benefits. They operate a helpline on 0845 4349585 open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm.
Grandparents' Plus is a charity that champions the role of grandparents especially those who are caring for their grandchildren. They campaign on the issues affecting grandparents and carry out research to promote a greater understanding.
