![A portrait photo of Kinship advice team senior adviser Nic Kerr. She has long blonde hair and is smiling.](https://compass.kinship.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kinship-care-and-Nic-specialist-adviser.png)
Local authorities supporting kinship carers
Local authorities and Kinship working together to support kinship carers to access emotional support, and expert advice and information.
![A mixed group of adults walking and chatting inside an office space.](https://compass.kinship.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kinship-care-local-authority-social-workers.jpg)
Local authorities supporting kinship carers
One of our roles at Kinship is to build relationships between kinship carers and local authority teams. Our community of over 10,000 kinship carers means we are uniquely placed to understand the needs of kinship carers.
Our advice, information and services support kinship carers in their caring role. They increase better outcomes for kinship families. Our goal is to keep children with family and friends and out of the care system.
We provide independently evaluated needs-based services that have been co-produced with kinship carers.
Local authorities can work with us by:
- partnering with us and our national peer support service (England only)
- commissioning our specialist programmes providing 1:1 support to special guardians and kinship carers
- commissioning our Kinship Ready training service supporting new and prospective kinship carers
- promoting our free services to kinship carers
If you’re interested in any of our services, please contact us for an informal chat on commissioning@kinship.org.ukĀ
Support for professionals working with kinship carers in England and Wales
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Kinship Professionals Network
Are you a social worker, academic or other professional with an interest in kinship care? Join our network to stay up-to-date with news from the world of kinship care.
Join Kinship Professionals Network![An older woman cuddling a young child. They have their noses pressed together and they're both smiling. In the background, another woman sits in a garden chair.](https://compass.kinship.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/kinship-carers-supporting-children-510x340.jpg)
Kinship care research and surveys
Our library of research, statistics and the latest developments related to kinship care. Read the latest State of the Nation survey, the largest annual survey of kinship carers and their experiences.
Read the latest research![Two small boys playing rough and tumble on a sofa. They're both smiling and laughing. In the background, an older couple sit smiling on a different sofa.](https://compass.kinship.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/kinship-children-supported-by-kinship-carers-510x336.jpg)
Best practice for special guardianship
A free comprehensive blueprint of best practice capturing the key elements of some of the most developed special guardianship support services currently available.
Read best practiceThe Adoption Support Fund for kinship carers
Local authorities and regional adoption agencies (RAAs) can apply for therapeutic funding for eligible adoptive and special guardianship order families.
Latest criteria for the Adoption Support Fund