Grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends who step in to provide kinship care for children are to get a significant package of support.
Grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends who step in to provide kinship care for children are to get a significant package of support as Bolton is announced as one of only seven areas selected to develop a new “Kinship Zone”
Kinship carers are adults who step in to provide a loving and supportive home to children in their family, and through this new initiative are set to benefit from a financial allowance, alongside additional support.
The government is now trialling the support packages to eligible kinship carers, backed by £126 million to reach around 5,000 children, recognising the vital role carers play in the lives of their vulnerable children.
Cllr Martin Donaghy, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:
“I’m pleased the government has chosen Bolton as one of the seven pilot locations to support more children to grow up within their family networks.
“This further reflects our ambition to support children to remain safely with their families.
“A guaranteed allowance equal to the foster care allowance will be life‑changing for many kinship carers, many of whom struggle to afford the basics for the children they have unexpectedly stepped in to raise.
“Further announcements will be made in March about how to access the payments and the support, and I look forward to seeing how the pilot develops over the next three years.”