Kinship Research and Practice

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Research has shown that:

Outcomes are positive for most children living in kinship care, and considerably better than for children in unrelated foster care, e.g. the children are more securely attached to their carers, feel that they belong with their carers, and are confident they will be staying.
Children in kinship care have experienced similar adversities to those in the care system but they and their carers received much less support.
Kinship carers show a high level of commitment but half of kinship carers have to give up work to take on the child. As a result many kinship care face financial hardship. This has worsened as a result of the Pandemic.

Research Reports

Family Rights Group has been undertaking research into kinship care for more than twenty years.

In 1999 the Family Policy Unit in the Home Office agreed to fund Family Rights Group’s proposal to conduct a national survey of grandparents raising their grandchildren. The resulting report by Alison Richards, entitled Second Time Around was published in 2001.

We have since undertaken research, conducted surveys and drawn up a number of practice guidance, resulting in more than twenty publications on kinship care.

Some of the more recent of these publications are listed below and can be downloaded for free or purchased online.

Key findings from the last two decades of UK research on kinship care, December 2020

By Professor John Hunt and commissioned by Family Rights Group

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Kinship carers' experiences during the coronavirus crisis

Ashley C, Johnston J, Hall J (May 2020)

A report setting out the results of a survey of 660 kinship carers during the Pandemic. Conducted by Family Rights Group on behalf of the Parliamentary Taskforce on Kinship Care

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The highs and lows of kinship care: supplementary analysis of a comprehensive survey of kinship carers in Scotland 2019

Young E and Hill L (April 2020)

Celcis, University of Strathclyde and Family Rights Group have published a supplementary analysis on a survey of kinship carers’ experiences during the coronavirus crisis which the charity Family Rights Group’s conducted in April 2020 on behalf of the Cross-Party Parliamentary Taskforce on Kinship Care.

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The highs and lows of kinship care: analysis of a comprehensive survey of kinship carers

Ashley C and Braun D (September 2019)

Based on information from 845 kinship carers raising at least 1252 kinship children, this extensive survey explores the employment, financial and legal challenges that many kinship carers face, alongside struggles in securing appropriate support. It sets out policy and practice recommendations.

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Delivering good practice initial assessments of family and friends carers in the context of Covid-19

Developed by Family Rights Group in partnership with an expert working group (June 2020)

The initial assessment guide is as relevant today as it was when it was first drafted in 2017. However, the public health measures in force resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic make aspects of the delivery of the guidance challenging. This appendix to the guide has been drafted by Coram Baaf and Family Rights Group with support from an expert advisory group. It sets out some possible ways to respond to those challenges.

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Initial Family and Friends Care Assessment: A good practice guide

Developed by Family Rights Group in partnership with an expert working group (2017)

The guide sets out best practice as to how initial assessments should be conducted. It explores what factors social workers conducting the assessment need to consider, including when undertaking assessments with family members overseas. It also includes research evidence, and information for kinship carers.

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Doing the right thing: A report on the experiences of kinship carers

Ashley C, Aziz R and Braun D (2015) (FRG)

The survey results found that 49% of kinship carers have had to give up work permanently to care for the kinchild, and a further 18% had to give up work temporarily.

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Could do better... Must do better: A study of family and friends care local authority policies

Mercer A, Lindley B, Hopkins A, Edited by Ashley C (2015) (FRG)

The study analysed 53 family and friends care policies, to identify how they are complying with statutory family and friends care guidance and to highlight good practice. It includes a checklist to assist local authorities to develop and improve their policies.

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What happens to siblings in the care system?

Ashley C, Roth D (2015) (FRG)

This report investigates the experience of siblings in the care system. It found that half of all sibling groups in local authority care are split up and that 37% of children in care who have at least one other sibling in care are living with none of their siblings. The report sets out a series of recommendations to enable more siblings in care to live together when it is in their interests.

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It’s Just Not Fair! Support, need and legal status in family and friends care

Hunt J and Waterhouse S (2013) (FRG/Oxford University Centre for Family Law and Policy)

Based on information from 249 legal and social work practitioners who provide or manage services for family and friends carers, this study shows that support provided to these carers and children is closely linked to the legal status of the arrangement, and not, as is stated in statutory guidance, on the basis of need.

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Relative Poverty: family and friends care in London

Roth D, Aziz R, Ashley C and Lindley B (2013) (FRG)

This is the first study that specifically examines the circumstances of kinship carers in London, and the children they are raising, including levels of financial and material deprivation. It recommends measures for local and national government.

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Understanding family and friends care: the relationship between need, support and legal status

Hunt J and Waterhouse S (2012) (FRG/Oxford University Centre for Family Law and Policy)

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Understanding family and friends care: analysis of the social and economic circumstances of family and friends carers

Aziz R and Roth D (2012) (FRG)

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Big Bruv, Little Sis: research findings on sibling carers raising their younger brothers and sisters

Roth D, Lindley B and Ashley C (2011) (FRG)

This publication sets out the findings from the first research study undertaken in the UK into the experiences of siblings who are raising their younger brothers and sisters

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Managing Contact: Research findings on managing contact with parents and relatives for children living in family and friends care arrangements

Roth D, Tunnard J, Lindley B, De Gaye A and Ashley C (2011) (FRG)

This study of contact issues in kinship care arrangements was based on interviews with carers, parents and practitioners, and an internet survey. It also includes a comprehensive international literature review and a chapter setting out the legal framework. The report concludes by making good practice recommendations to deal with the issues that have been identified.

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Special Guardianship: what does it offer children who cannot live with their parents

Jordan L and Lindley B editors (2006) (FRG)

The publication includes contributions by Lady Justice Hale, Sir James Munby, Professor June Thoburn, and a grandparent carer. It analyses the provisions for Special Guardianship and explores its potential use in meeting children’s long term needs when they cannot return home. You can buy this from our online shop.

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Getting Together – A guide to setting up and running a support group

Richards A (2004) (FRG)

This guide is aimed at anyone who is interested in setting up a kinship care support group.

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