The Fostering Network: Family and friends foster care

We have produced a list of key resources on this topic.

Family and friends care, sometimes known as kinship care, is when a child or young person is looked after by a member of their wider family or by someone they already know.

There can be downsides to this type of care but, in general, children living with family and friends do better when compared with children living with non-related foster carer or in residential care.

Useful links

Publications and resources from the Fostering Network

Family and friends as carers: Publisher: The Fostering Network and ADSW; Date: 2003; Joint report by the Fostering Network and the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW) on kinship care in Scotland.; Price: Free; Full details…
Kinship care: a family support service or foster care service: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; Powerpoint presentation from the IFCO conference 2007 in New Zealand.; Price: Free; Full details…
National fostering and kinship care strategy: findings from consultation events January-February 2007: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; Report on the consultation events held in Scotland in January-February 2007.; Price: Free; Full details…
Prepared to Care: Author: Jane Butler; Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2006; Prepared to Care is a new publication that offers family and friends carers clear, practical and accessible information.; Code: 7068; Price: £15 members, £20 non-members; Full details…
Response to the Scottish Executive's national fostering and kinship care strategy: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; This is the Fostering Network response to the Scottish Executive's strategy for foster and kinship care.; Price: Free; Full details…
Role of the state in supporting relatives raising children who cannot live with their parents: Publisher: The Fostering Network; Date: 2007; A joint agency policy response to the Care Matters green paper.; Price: Free; Full details…