Based on a survey of members of the Grandparents Plus Support Network, this report explores the experiences of kinship carers looking after children from their wider family. It analyses the 602 responses received from carers to examine: the needs of children and the reasons they are in kinship care, the circumstances of carers and the grandparents' relationships with the children's parents. Key
(Edited publisher abstract)
Based on a survey of members of the Grandparents Plus Support Network, this report explores the experiences of kinship carers looking after children from their wider family. It analyses the 602 responses received from carers to examine: the needs of children and the reasons they are in kinship care, the circumstances of carers and the grandparents' relationships with the children's parents. Key findings from the survey found that the average annual household income of kinship families was well below the national average, with nearly half of respondents saying their income was insufficient to meet the children's needs. In addition, 62 per cent of kinship carers felt they weren't well supported at the time of taking on the care of the children. The report makes recommendations to national and local government to improve the recognition and support for kinship carers. Recommendations cover the areas of financial allowances and welfare benefits; employment protection; and access to advice, information, support and training.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
grandparents, kinship care, family relations, low income, needs, vulnerable children, children;
This briefing paper summarises survey findings on the situation of carers who have undertaken caring responsibilities due to parental substance misuse. It discusses key facts in the areas of: demographics, financial hardship, health and wellbeing, children with special needs or a disability, relationships between the carers and the children's parents, and contact with social services. The paper concludes by recommending: that the welfare of children affected by parental substance misuse is promoted across all drug and alcohol agencies and greater understanding and awareness among professionals working in both children’s and adult services of the role of the wider family in supporting children affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse. It also list what carers have told them they want.
This briefing paper summarises survey findings on the situation of carers who have undertaken caring responsibilities due to parental substance misuse. It discusses key facts in the areas of: demographics, financial hardship, health and wellbeing, children with special needs or a disability, relationships between the carers and the children's parents, and contact with social services. The paper concludes by recommending: that the welfare of children affected by parental substance misuse is promoted across all drug and alcohol agencies and greater understanding and awareness among professionals working in both children’s and adult services of the role of the wider family in supporting children affected by parental drug and alcohol misuse. It also list what carers have told them they want.
Subject terms:
kinship care, parents, substance misuse, surveys, child care, children, grandparents;
Analyses the results of survey responses from 1,114 kinship carers living in the UK, focusing the point at which friends or family became kinship carers. The survey includes information on why kinship carers took on their role, their relationship with the child, and the availability of advice and financial support. The survey found that almost half of kinship carers took on the role in a time of crisis. Despite the involvement of children's services, 84 per cent of kinship carers responding to the survey felt they did not get the advice and information they needed when the child moved in. In addition, 72 per cent still feeling they do not receive the advice and information they need. The report makes four recommendations. These include for kinship carers to have access to independent information and advice; to be able to request an assessment of their family's support needs; and to have access to specialist and independent support.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Analyses the results of survey responses from 1,114 kinship carers living in the UK, focusing the point at which friends or family became kinship carers. The survey includes information on why kinship carers took on their role, their relationship with the child, and the availability of advice and financial support. The survey found that almost half of kinship carers took on the role in a time of crisis. Despite the involvement of children's services, 84 per cent of kinship carers responding to the survey felt they did not get the advice and information they needed when the child moved in. In addition, 72 per cent still feeling they do not receive the advice and information they need. The report makes four recommendations. These include for kinship carers to have access to independent information and advice; to be able to request an assessment of their family's support needs; and to have access to specialist and independent support.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
surveys, grandparents, access to information, access to services, families, kinship care, personal finance, needs, information needs;
Based on survey responses from 671 kinship carers, this report explores the experience of kinship carers, looks at the support they receive and identifies their unmet needs. The survey was completed by members of the Grandparents Plus Kinship Care Support Network in England and Wales. It covered the circumstances of families, the impact of kinship caring on family incomes and carers’ ability to work, and the availability of financial and practical support. Of the kinship carers surveyed, 83 percent were grandparents, and 85 per cent were of working age. The findings show that kinship carers have significant unmet support needs. Of those surveyed 47 per cent said they do not get the financial support they need, 62 per cent required more advice and information, and 65 percent needed more
(Edited publisher abstract)
Based on survey responses from 671 kinship carers, this report explores the experience of kinship carers, looks at the support they receive and identifies their unmet needs. The survey was completed by members of the Grandparents Plus Kinship Care Support Network in England and Wales. It covered the circumstances of families, the impact of kinship caring on family incomes and carers’ ability to work, and the availability of financial and practical support. Of the kinship carers surveyed, 83 percent were grandparents, and 85 per cent were of working age. The findings show that kinship carers have significant unmet support needs. Of those surveyed 47 per cent said they do not get the financial support they need, 62 per cent required more advice and information, and 65 percent needed more emotional support. Based on the findings, the report makes a series of recommendations for future policy and practice. These include for a greater awareness of the situation and needs of young people in kinship care; access to free and independent advice and support for kinship carers when taking on children; and improved financial, practical and emotional support for kinship carers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
surveys, kinship care, needs, unmet need, grandparents, income, information needs, peer support, employment;
This report notes that there is an incomplete picture of family life in Britain. The scale of the contribution that the UK's 14 million grandparents are making is not fully known. This interim report uses new British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey data to begin to build a more comprehensive picture of Britain's grandparent population; looking at how it has changed over the last decade, and what financial implications becoming a grandparent might involve. The findings show that there are broadly two very different experiences of grandparenting in Britain and this is determined by socio-economic and income status. They suggest that grandparents, particularly working age grandmothers on low incomes are under pressure to combine work and childcare. The results are discussed in some detail
This report notes that there is an incomplete picture of family life in Britain. The scale of the contribution that the UK's 14 million grandparents are making is not fully known. This interim report uses new British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey data to begin to build a more comprehensive picture of Britain's grandparent population; looking at how it has changed over the last decade, and what financial implications becoming a grandparent might involve. The findings show that there are broadly two very different experiences of grandparenting in Britain and this is determined by socio-economic and income status. They suggest that grandparents, particularly working age grandmothers on low incomes are under pressure to combine work and childcare. The results are discussed in some detail and the report concludes with implications for the next stage of the project.