Latest news and campaigns

Family Rights Group warmly welcomes draft guidance

Family Rights Group on behalf of the Kinship Care Alliance today warmly welcomed the Government's draft statutory guidance for local authorities on family and friends care as an important recognition of the significance to children, who are unable to live with their parents, of being able to be brought up by extended family and the uniqueness of this form of care.  Important proposals set out in the draft guidance, include detailed requirements on local authorities in respect of assessment and support for such children and carers, including those outside the care system.  The Charity have formally submitted a response on behalf of the Kinship Care Alliance to the draft Guidance, including proposals for further improvements that could be made to the draft, such as greater clarification in relation to provisions relating to the range of legal arrangements.  The charity have emphasised that it is essential that the final guidance is issued by Ministers and that there's no watering down of provisions which will assist the lives of very vulnerable children.  

To read The Kinship Care Alliance response click here.

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Fun in the Park Picnic - for children and their family and friends carers

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LAUNCH OF KINSHIP CARE ALLIANCE MANIFESTO

Currently many grandparents and other family and friends carers raising children on the brink of care receive little or any support from the local authority.  Yet many of these carers are impoverished, living in overcrowded accommodation and raising extremely disturbed children.  

Now Family Rights Group is leading the campaign on behalf of the Kinship Care Alliance to end the current postcode lottery and improve financial and other support services available to family and friends carers.

Please make your views known to your MP - click here to take action

To read the Kinship Care Alliance's recommendations click here

To read the Kinship Care Alliance's background policy context  paper click here

We welcome endorsements from organisations and individuals to the policy paper and recommendations - please contact cashley@frg.org.uk

REGIONAL EVENTS ON SETTING UP AND SUSTAINING FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCE SERVICES

Family Rights Group and the Office of Public Management are running a series of regional training events in 2009 and 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families for local authority senior managers on setting up, sustaining and developing family group conference services.   The events also aim to raise awareness of the benefits of family group conference for children on the edge of care, and increase understanding of the model among family judges.

To find out more click here

NEW - Frequently asked questions for fathers

Family Rights Group has published on the web a series of frequently asked questions for fathers.  There are sections on parental responsibility, family support, child protection, contact, care proceedings, the care system and adoption.  Click here to find out more.

NEW GUIDE: Using Family Group Conferences for children who are, or may become, subject to public law proceedings

Written for Courts, Lawyers, CAFCASS and CAFCASS CYMRU officers and Child Care Practitioners, this ground breaking guide was developed by Family Rights Group in conjunction with the Family Group Conference Network and is endorsed by CAFCASS and the Family Justice Council. Click here to download