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Improving the Kinship Local Offer and Approach to Kinship Care. Insight Report: February 2026

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Improving the Kinship Local Offer and Approach to Kinship Care. Insight Report: February 2026
Language: English
Authors: Jahnine Davis, Department for Education (DfE) (United Kingdom)
Source: UK Department for Education. 2026.
Availability: UK Department for Education. Castle View House East Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2GJ, UK. Tel: +44-37-0000-2288; Fax: +44-19-2873-8248; Web site: http://www.education.gov.uk
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 45
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foster Care, Child Care, Foreign Countries, Federal Legislation, Educational Legislation, Child Caregivers, Stakeholders, Program Implementation, Program Development, Accountability, Equal Education, Family Needs, Cultural Awareness, Family Relationship, Partnerships in Education, Barriers, Program Design, Financial Support, Social Support Groups, Legal Aid
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
Abstract: Kinship care describes arrangements in which children and young people who cannot live with their parents are cared for by members of their wider family or by family friends. Through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Department for Education is seeking to create a requirement for local authorities to publish a kinship local offer; this aims to improve transparency, ensure that information is accessible to families, and enable greater consistency in support across England. This report summarises learning generated from September 2024 onwards through engagement with kinship carers, parents, children and young people, 12 local authorities, 10 voluntary and community sector organisations, the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the National Association of Virtual School Heads to inform the development of kinship local offers. It also reflects learning from recent sector activity, including insights from engagement events and roadshows held with local authorities over 2024-25. It outlines key themes and considerations that stakeholders identified as relevant when designing a kinship local offer that is clear, accessible, and aligned with existing local systems. The report concludes with insights for implementation, setting out the elements stakeholders consistently described as important to kinship local offer development and delivery. These insights are intended to support local authorities to design kinship local offers that are transparent, equitable and responsive to the needs of kinship families.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED679943
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Kinship care describes arrangements in which children and young people who cannot live with their parents are cared for by members of their wider family or by family friends. Through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, the Department for Education is seeking to create a requirement for local authorities to publish a kinship local offer; this aims to improve transparency, ensure that information is accessible to families, and enable greater consistency in support across England. This report summarises learning generated from September 2024 onwards through engagement with kinship carers, parents, children and young people, 12 local authorities, 10 voluntary and community sector organisations, the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the National Association of Virtual School Heads to inform the development of kinship local offers. It also reflects learning from recent sector activity, including insights from engagement events and roadshows held with local authorities over 2024-25. It outlines key themes and considerations that stakeholders identified as relevant when designing a kinship local offer that is clear, accessible, and aligned with existing local systems. The report concludes with insights for implementation, setting out the elements stakeholders consistently described as important to kinship local offer development and delivery. These insights are intended to support local authorities to design kinship local offers that are transparent, equitable and responsive to the needs of kinship families.