Join the Kinship Group Network

Do you run a group for kinship carers in your spare time? Why not join the Kinship Group Network.

Support for you and your group

There are hundreds of kinship carers like you across England who volunteer their time to run a group for kinship carers to come together in their area or online.

Kinship groups are a lifeline to many kinship carers. A safe space to share, listen and know they’re not alone.

As a charity, we want to support you and your group to be the best it can be.

Find out more about the Kinship Group Network

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What is the Kinship Group Network?

The Kinship Group Network offers free support and resources to you and your group whenever you need them.

Come together and meet with other kinship carers who run groups to ask questions, share experiences and help solve problems, or find useful information and learn skills to benefit you and your group with our free Peer Support Group Library.

What can the Network offer me and my group?

Developed alongside kinship groups, we can offer you support, information and a sense of community to you and your group.

Support

A dedicated member of Kinship staff to provide support and guidance when you need it. Someone to call and talk through a situation or challenge you might be facing (please note for advice and information, you can call the Kinship Advice Service).
Access to a Kinship Zoom account for running online group meetings (subject to agreement around data protection and data use).
Use of Kinship branding and logo “Part of the Kinship Group Network”. Including access to promotional materials for your group like templates for posters and flyers.

Information

Access excellent training led by the Kinship team to support your group and members. Perfect preparation for those starting out , and a great refresher for those who have been running a group for a while, including safeguarding, boundaries and group activities.
Explore our online Peer Support Group Library. A growing library of tips, practical tools and real-life examples to help you set up and run your kinship group. From how to write a group agreement or risk-assessment to tips on handling difficult conversations.
Information, advice and signposting to other Kinship services. Opportunities to get your group involved in campaigning for change or signposting for the right advice and support – we can make sure you know where to go.

Community

Access to regular support and networking opportunities. Meet with other group leaders at the Kinship Group Network Meeting and access updates across Kinship and news in kinship care with the Community newsletter.
Invitations to join Kinship activities and offers. Celebrate and share Kinship Care Week activities, campaign for change or have your say in surveys and research.
Advice on how to grow your group and reach other kinship carers. We can advise you on how to find other kinship carers in your area. Tips on contacting Local Authorities, schools and community networks. In some cases, we might be able to contact carers on your behalf to invite them to your group.

Is your group part of the network?

By listing your group on Kinship Compass you will automatically be made a member of the Kinship Group Network and receive updates and invites to events.

Find out if your group is listed

What does Kinship ask of me and my group?

As part of the Kinship Group Network we need your group’s support too.

Support

An agreed person to contact about your group. A name, phone number, or email which will be listed on Kinship Compass so new kinship carers can join or find out more.
Complete short surveys about your group. Occasionally we might reach out to ask your thoughts or to share your experiences to help inform how we do things or as part of wider research into kinship care.
Whenever you can, actively get involved in the Kinship Group Network meetings or events. Share your tips and experience to help others who are newer to leading groups.

Information

Share openly where and when you meet/plan to meet. Whether you meet in person or online, we want to make sure we can signpost other kinship carers to join your group.
Be clear on how your group is being/will be run. For example, having a routine with how often you meet. knowing how refreshments will be arranged, who can come and how costs will be covered.
Agreement confirming you are a self-sufficient group and that Kinship, as a charity is not liable for your group or its activities. But we are here to offer you support, guidance and training at every step.

Community

Agreement to treat others fairly, with respect and consideration, no matter who they are. To confidently challenge inappropriate or offensive behaviour; and act on any safeguarding incidents or concerns (we can help advise you with these).
Accept that we may contact you with Kinship asks. This could be linked to research requests, information about your group or local information.
Knowledge is power. Encourage your members to sign up to the Kinship Community email newsletter. Accessing updates across Kinship’s services and news in kinship care that could support their family.

A handy download about the Kinship Group Network is available here for you to share with others who support your group.

Download Kinship Group Network (PDF - 74.5 KB)

How do I get involved?

Is your group already listed on Kinship Compass (you can check here)?

My group is listed on Kinship Compass – then you don’t need to do anything. It means that the person listed on the group details will be receiving invitations and updates from us. If you also support this group and would like to be involved, please ask your nominated person to contact us.
My group isn’t listed on Kinship Compass – then all you need to do is register your groups details below to be added to Kinship Compass (this means you are happy for other kinship carers to find out and come along to your group) – and we will be in touch with more information.

You can be as involved in the Network as you want to. This group is just for people who volunteer their time to lead or help run a peer support group for kinship carers.

By joining us, we hope you can better support the kinship carers in your group, but also get the support you need from others in your position.

If you have a question about the Kinship Group Network, please get in touch: peersupport@kinship.org.uk

Register your group on Kinship Compass

How Kinship can support your peer support group

Explore our library of resources to help run your group

A growing library of tips, practical tools and real-life examples to help you set up and run your kinship peer support group.

Explore the library

Promote your kinship support group on Kinship Compass

Make sure kinship carers can find your kinship peer support group. Complete the form to add your group to Kinship Compass for free,