Kinship Care in Dudley provides essential support for children who are being raised by relatives or close family friends when their parents are unable to care for them. Dudley Council is committed to ensuring that these children can remain within their family network, promoting their welfare and best interests.
The National Kinship Care Strategy
From September 2024, the extended duties of the virtual school is to provide information and guidance to parents and schools regarding the needs and educational progress of children who are or have been in the care of children's services.
The strategic objectives of Virtual Schools for children in kinship care include:
- Raising Awareness: Increasing understanding of the specific needs of children in kinship care and the challenges they may encounter.
- Promoting Best Practices: Advocating for effective strategies that enhance educational attendance and engagement. Working to enhance educational outcomes for children in kinship care in order to narrow the attainment gap.
- Providing Advice and Information: Offering guidance and resources to kinship carers with Special Guardianship and Child Arrangement Orders.
The National Kinship Care Strategy December 2023 (DfE) sets out the Government’s plans, new commitments and £20m investment over 2024-25.
Useful Website Links
Kinship Compass
An independent online information, advice and support hub just for kinship carers
The government have commissioned a new national offer of advice, information, training and peer support for all kinship carers via Kinship. Kinship is the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales who work with all kinship carers – the grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and family friends – who are caring for children when their parents can’t.
Dudley Kinship Carers
This group is led by a Kinship volunteer who is a kinship carer and supported by Kinship staff. The group is open to all kinship carers in Dudley and the surrounding area. Follow the link for further information: