How to contact us for advice
We provide advice to parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.
Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.
Our get help and advice section describes the processes that you and your family are likely to go through, so that you know what to expect. Our webchat service can help you find the information and advice on our website which will help you understand the law and your rights.
We have been informed about the following current kinship carer support groups. Please do ring the named contact if you wish to confirm details. including meeting hours. Please note that unless a named Family Rights Group contact is provided, the groups and organisations listed below are run independently of Family Rights Group and we are not responsible for their activities.
Family Rights has published a guide on good practice in setting up local kinship care support groups. If you wish to attend a group, rather than set one up, you may still find the guide useful.
If you have set up a support group please can you complete this form and send it though to Yasmin at ychoudhury@frg.org.uk to be included on the website. Could groups whose contact details or meeting times are changing also please inform ychoudhury@frg.org.uk.
Find a group near you within...
Who is the group for? The group offers support to kinship families affected by the drug and alcohol use of family members
How often does the group meet? Jane works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please contact by phone for further information
Who is the group for? The Big Cup project is a free parent and baby group (pre-school), for vulnerable families within the communities of Stoke on Trent and Newcastle under Lyme. Big Cup aims to re-introduce parents/carers and their babies and toddlers back in to the community, improve confidence and self esteem and promote positive parenting. Kinship carers welcome
Where does the group meet? Kidsgrove and Clayton
Who runs the group? Big Cup is run by the Alice charity staff and volunteers
How often does the group meet? Monday (Kidsgrove), Tuesday (Audley), Wednesday (Clayton), Thursday (Chesterton), Friday (Bradwell), 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Refreshments included
Additional Information: www.alicecharity.com
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? St. Paul’s Church, 50 Long Lane, Finchley, N3 2PU
Who runs the group? Barnet Council
How often does the group meet? Group meets once a month. Contact Annie for details
Julie Sollars
Who is the group for? Foster carers group, kinship carers welcome
Where does the group meet? Ely House, Churchill Avenue, Basildon, Essex, SS14 2BQ
Who runs the group? Essex County Council
How often does the group meet? 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Contact facilitator for dates
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Frimley, Surrey
Who runs the group? Independent
How often does the group meet? Monthly
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Berwick YHA, Dewar's Lane, Berwick, Northumberland, TD15 1HJ
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? First Wednesday of each month from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
Ann Tucker (kinship carer)
Who is the group for? It is for all kinship carers in the area
Where does the group meet? Sidley Children’s Centre, Bexhill-on-Sea, 121 Ninfield Rd, Bexhill-on-Sea TN39 5BD
Who runs the group? Run independently but supported by Sidley Children’s Centre
How often does the group meet? First Wednesday of the month (10am - 12pm)
Additional Information: For information of local support groups, resources and training opportunities available to kinship carers, email – FamilyFriendsServiceAdmin@eastsussex.gov.uk or call 01323 464040.
Who is the group for? All kinship carers
Where does the group meet? New Life Church (next to Waitrose) Main Road, Biggin Hill, Westham, TN16 3BB
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Group meets every two weeks on Tuesday mornings from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? The Commissioners Quay Inn, Quay Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3AF
Who runs the group? Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Second Tuesday of each month from 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m
Who is the group for? The group is for grandparents and family carers affected by drug or alcohol misuse. The group provides individual support, counselling and respite breaks
How often does the group meet? Please call for further information or view https://www.bridgesstockton.org/
Who is the group for? All family and friends carers
Where does the group meet? Family and Friends Team, Moulsecoomb Hub South, Brighton, BN2 4SE
Who runs the group? Brighton and Hove City Council
How often does the group meet? Monthly on a Wednesday morning between 10.30am and 12pm
Who is the group for? Kinship carers
Where does the group meet? Mission Café, 8a the Mall, (opposite Argos/Iceland) Bromley, BR1 1TS
Who runs the group? Local kinship carers supported by Kinship (formerly known as Grandparents Plus)
How often does the group meet? Group meet once a month. Contact Sharon for details
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