Kinship care is any situation in which a child is being raised in the care of a friend or family member who is not their parent. The arrangement may be temporary or longer term.
The following are all types of kinship care arrangements however this list is not exhaustive:
- Informal kinship care arrangements (not approved foster care) including:
- A private family arrangement in which a close family member who does not hold parental responsibility, raises the child and
- the local authority has had no major role in making the arrangement for the child
- where a Family Court has not made an order in respect to the care of the child.
- Where a child under the age of 16 is being provided with accommodation for less than 28 days by an individual in their own home who is not a close relative.
- Where a 16 or 17 year old is being provided with accommodation by an individual who is not a close relative in their own home.
