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Cornwall Kinship Care Local Offer


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Welcome to Cornwall’s Kinship Care Local Offer. We are here to support you and your family.

Whether you're a grandparent, sibling, or family friend caring for a child, this page will help you explore the local services available to you.

Follow the links below to discover how to access support, guidance, and resources tailored to your needs as a kinship carer.

Kinship care is any situation in which a child is living in the care of a friend or family member who is not their parent. Kinship care arrangements can be temporary or long term.

Why is kinship care important?

In many families, children regularly spend time with different family members and friends. This can include things like going to a relative’s house regularly after school, and going on holidays together.

Also, staying overnight with family members, and spending time with each parent independently.  Spending time with family and friends who love them and help with their care can enrich children’s lives and help them thrive.  

This can be a positive and normal part of family life.

Sometimes, children need more than this. Kinship carers are family or friends who step up, often during an unexpected crisis, to care for a child full time when their parents aren’t able to.

This might be because of family difficulties such as illness, or concerns about a child’s safety.

If parents aren’t able to care for a child full time, it is always hard for the child. In these circumstances, we believe it is almost always better for them to stay with family members or friends whom they already know and love.

Kinship care is a big commitment, but it can bring love, security and hope to children through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

When children need full time care and their parents aren’t able to care for them, we encourage kinship care arrangements. We will work very hard to help identify family and friends who might be able to help.

We provide them with a range of practical, financial and emotional support and advice.

Our aim is to help kinship carers make these arrangements a success for the child and the whole family. 

Who can be a kinship carer?

Kinship carers can include:

  • a close relative of the child
  • a close relative of the child’s maternal or paternal sibling
  • someone who was formerly the child’s step-parent or in a cohabiting relationship with the child’s parent
  • a close friend of the child, or of the child’s parent(s)
  • a close friend of the child’s close relative
  • someone else with a prior connection to the child who does not fall within one of the categories above. This could be a teacher, youth worker, childminder or former foster carer.

Types of kinship care

There are a number of ways kinship care can happen. Kinship care arrangement might be decided privately by a child’s family and kinship carers.

Where children’s services are involved, the child’s lead professional will help decide which option is safest and best for you and the child.

This might include doing background checks, home visits, and talking with the child, you and your family.

A wide range of support is available from Children’s Services for children and their kinship carers in Cornwall.

How much we get involved may vary between different types of kinship care arrangements. This can include:

Informal family arrangements

Private or informal family arrangements made between family members or friends. Sometimes children’s services staff might not be involved at all.

Sometimes, a lead professional from children’s services may  help you make plans and advise you how to get in place what is needed for the child.

This could include short term safety planning during a family crisis, to make sure a child is safe. Arrangements like this give everyone involved time to work out what needs to happen next. 

Sometimes, these informal arrangements continue for a longer period of time. Depending on the needs of the child and family, it may be appropriate to make these arrangements more formal.

This can help the child feel more settled, and so they know what to expect longer term. 

Private Fostering

Private fostering is when a child under 16 years of age (or under 18 if disabled) lives with someone who isn’t a close relative for more than 28 days.

This arrangement is made privately by the family. In line with national guidance the Council must be informed, and consider whether this arrangement is right for the child.

A ‘close’ relative in this situation is defined as either a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt. They can be a full or half relation and can be related by marriage. Relatives also include step-parents, but only through marriage.Find out more on our private fostering page

Support for Private Fostering arrangements

Cornwall Council have a legal duty to ensure that children in private fostering arrangements are safe and well.

The Local Authority must be notified of any private fostering arrangement.

This is through our Multi-Agency Referral Unit (MARU).

Find out about the Multi-Agency Referral Unit (MARU)

Once a referral is received, a Private Fostering assessment is carried out by a social worker. This explores any support needs the child and their carers may have.

The law says that we must continue to monitor the situation, if the private fostering arrangement remains in place. We do this through regular social work visits, regular child planning meetings and a yearly updated assessment.

Sometimes it becomes clear that this is likely to be a long-term arrangement lasting until the child turns 18.

In this case we will discuss whether it needs to be changed to a more formal arrangement. This would allow the carers to share legal parental responsibility for the child.

Child Arrangement Orders

A Child Arrangement Order is an Order from the Family Court setting out arrangements for where a child is to live. Sometimes the Order specifies that the child will live with someone other than their parent.

If this happens, that person is granted parental responsibility at an equal level to a parent.

  • Advice and support for carers
    Carers can get advice and support from the Cornwall Family Plus Team. This team supports:

    • families with a Special Guardianship Order
    • and any non-parent carers with a Child Arrangements Order (CAO)
    • Call 01872 324225 or email SGODuty@cornwall.gov.uk

  • Therapeutic support
    We may be able to help fund therapy for children who were in care before a Child Arrangement Order was granted.  Local Authorities can apply to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund for this. It can support children, and their carers.  The Family Plus Team provides this, as well as support groups, events and newsletters. These are for special guardians and those with CAOs in Cornwall, or for Cornish children. 

    Contact SGODuty@cornwall.gov.uk for more details.

Special Guardianship Orders

A Special Guardianship Order (SGO) is Court order. It says the child should live permanently with someone, and gives them shared parental responsibility.

The individual or individuals the child lives with become their special guardian(s). Under Special Guardianship, parents can still be involved in some decisions.

However, the Special Guardians have the final say and can make important decisions for the child, even if the parent doesn’t agree.

Special guardians are able to access specialist support and advice from Cornwall Council.

Find out more about Special Guardianship Orders

  • Advice and support for carers
    Carers can get advice and support from the Cornwall Family Plus Team: call 01872 324225 or email SGODuty@cornwall.gov.uk

  • Financial support
    We usually provide financial support for special guardians, if we were involved when the Order was made. We follow the guidance in Cornwall Council’s Special Guardianship Support Policy.
    We use means testing to find out what level of financial support is needed.  Special guardians can get Parental Responsibility benefits for their children. This can include child tax credit/the child element of Universal Credit. We are also able to help with one off or short term ‘set up costs’. This would be to buy specific items, in order to care for the child. We decide this on a case-by-case basis.

  • Support plan and additional support
    A Special Guardianship Support plan is required for all prospective Special Guardians.
    This outlines the child’s and carer’s support needs and the local authority’s commitment to meeting them. These are reviewed annually, or by request.

  • Therapeutic support
    There may be funding for therapy for children who were in care before a Special Guardianship Order was granted. Local Authorities can apply to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund for this.
    It can support children, and their carers. 
    The Family Plus Team provides this, as well as support groups, events and newsletters. These are for special guardians and those with CAOs in Cornwall, or for Cornish children.

    Contact SGODuty@cornwall.gov.uk for more details.

Family and Friends Foster Care

Family and Friends foster care is sometimes referred to as a ‘Regulation 24’ foster placement.

This is when you are assessed as an official foster carer, specifically to look after a child. You care for the child on behalf of the local authority and the child’s parents.

The council is responsible for significant decisions about their day to day living arrangements.

This option is only applicable if the child is a child in care. (I.e. they are subject of a Care Order, or the Council has agreed that the child should be in care following a voluntary request by their parents.) 

As a family and friends foster carer, you will receive ongoing support and supervision from the council.

There are a number of legal requirements that you need to commit to, and which will have an impact on the child growing up.

This includes regular training and visits and attendance at support groups. You will also need to keep records of the child’s progress, and take part in formal meetings.

Fostering social worker

Each kinship carer (fully approved) is assigned a fostering social worker. They provide regular visits, advice and support.

The child in their care will also have an allocated social worker and additional multi-agency support. This will look at education and health reviews.

  • Financial support
    Kinship carers receive relevant fostering allowances, the same as other Cornwall foster carers.
  • Training and development
    The Cornwall Fostering Service offers a comprehensive training programme. This covers approved kinship carers as well as other foster carers. Visit the Cornwall Fostering Service to find out more.

Additional help if you're a kinship carer

Immediate safeguarding concerns

If you have immediate concerns about a child’s safety and welfare, contact the Cornwall’s Multi-Agency Referral Unit (MARU).
The MARU provides a multi-disciplinary response to concerns about the welfare or safety of a child or young person.
The MARU will try to help by signposting to the service that can best help meet the child’s needs.

They may also arrange for a Children and Families Service assessment, to consider the most appropriate help:

Family support

The Family Information Service is a free and impartial support service.
It is designed to be simple to navigate for parents, carers and young people. You can look for help with things like childcare and activities. 
You can also see the SEND Local Offer for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
It also provides direct links to the council’s Together for Families web pages for helpful information including:

Family Information Service

Please visit NHS Children's Services for information about health and care support for children.

Cornwall's Neurodiversity Hub forms a part of our early help offer of support for children, young people, and their families.

Cornwall's Neurodiversity Hub

Family Help

In Cornwall we want every child to grow up feeling safe, loved and happy.

  • All children should have the best possible start, and a bright and successful future
  • All families use the support of friends, relatives or trusted professionals
  • Or access support via our parenting offer which is open to everyone

Some families need more support and Family Help is our way of offering help to those families.

Family Help brings together different types of help into one service. This means families don't have to keep repeating their stories to several workers.

What kind of help is available

If Family Help is the right option, we will assign a Lead Practitioner to your family. This could be a Family Worker, Youth Worker or Social Worker. They will:

  • Talk with you as part of a Family Help assessment to understand your situation and what help you might need
  • Develop a Family Help plan with you, showing what support we can offer
  • Match you with the right person or people to provide the help you need
  • Meet regularly to check how things are going
  • Work with other services if you need more specialist support. This might be from teams such as education, health and disabled children’s services. It also includes support around domestic abuse, substance abuse or mental health needs
  • Have regular Family Help meetings with you and your family. These will check we are offering the right support and if it is working for you

Want to find out more?

You can contact the Early Help Hub.

A friendly team member will listen to your concerns and help you decide what kind of support is right for you.

If you have immediate concerns about a child’s safety or welfare please contact the Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) on 03001231116 

Training and Peer Support

Depending on your kinship arrangement, there may be a range of bespoke support available. See different kinship care arrangements for more specific information.

The following links may also be useful to your situation:

Educational Advice

Cornwall’s virtual school provides support to children and families.

In addition, it supports, education settings, social workers and other professionals.  

It aims to help children and young people achieve their potential through education, employment or training . 

The virtual school can provide advice and guidance to all kinship care arrangements. 

It does not matter what the legal status is.

For general information:

  • The Kinship charity has some useful advice around education and childcare 

For information around education in Cornwall:

For more specific advice and guidance:

Cornwall’s virtual school

Children with disabilities and/or additional needs

Cornwall Local Offer sets out the services available for children and young people with SEND.

Cornwall Local OfferChildren with disabilities may be entitled to additional support, which includes:

  • Short Breaks and Residential Services
    These allow a disabled young person to have an enjoyable break away from their main carer. They also gives their carer a break from their caring responsibilities
  • Care Packages
    These are for children who need more than Short Breaks. A tailored Care Package may be provided. This can include social activities, personal care or respite. The plan is reviewed yearly
  • Support with preparation for adulthood
    The Disabled Children’s Service can work with disabled children known to them, between aged 14 to 17. They work closely with the young person's networks, and Adult Services. Together they think about the young person’s transition into adulthood, the ongoing support needs they may have and who can meet these needs

Children and young people with disabilities

Social, Emotional and Mental Health and Wellbeing support (self-care)

We understand that being a kinship carer, while deeply rewarding, can also be demanding. Taking care of yourself is essential, and we want to highlight the range of wellbeing support available to you in Cornwall and online:

  • The Cornwall Council Mental Health pages give help and advice on a range of mental health issues
  • Healthy Cornwall promotes and supports healthy eating and making positive lifestyle changes
  • Pentreath is an award- winning charity based in Cornwall. It promotes good mental health through personal development, education and employment
  • Man Down Cornwall supports men’s mental health in the UK
  • Cornwall Mind is a local mental health charity. It aims to help people in our local communities to improve their mental health and wellbeing
  • NHS Every Mind Matters advice – How to meditate for beginners and What is mindfulness?
  • NHS Talking Therapies provide treatment for common mental health difficulties. These include low mood, stress, and anxiety
  • Traveller Space is a registered charity. It supports Gypsies, Irish Travellers and New Travellers in Cornwall and the Devon
  • Penhaligon's Friends supports bereaved children, young people and their parents.

There is also mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people:

Family Time and Get Togethers

It isn't always easy to create an arrangement for contact time with the parents. It works best when everyone involved makes decisions that are in the child’s best interests.

A good agreement with the parents about all the elements of contact can help set boundaries and create a shared understanding.

In Cornwall, we use Family Group Conferencing to bring families together.

The Kinship charity also has some useful advice and training around working together. 

Kinship Charity websiteFinancial Support

Different kinship arrangements may offer different financial support. For more information, please read the sections on different kinship care arrangements.

If necessary, the Local Authority can provide resources to meet the family’s urgent needs. This will be mainly to ensure the child’s welfare and preventing risk or harm.

They may also explore other options, such as applying for a charity grant on the family’s behalf.

Cornwall Council also has a team that offer advice and support to residents about financial issues.

Advice and support 'Help with bills'Legal Advice

If you are a family member or friend raising a child on behalf of their parents, legal advice will help you understand what your rights are. Some kinship arrangement can access support through Cornwall Council. Please contact the services supporting you for more information.

For more general legal advice around kinship care arrangements:

Employment

As an employee, you have the right to ask your employer for time off work to meet your caring responsibilities.

As a kinship carer, in many cases you have the same rights as the child’s parents when asking for time away from your job. 

Some employers may have specific agreements or arrangements to support kinship carers.

This Kinship Carers in Workplace guidance can help you have a conversation with your employer to discuss how they may support you.

This may be a helpful link for supporting young people in kinship care arrangements to make plans around their next steps.

Supporting young people in kinship care arrangements

Housing

We recognise that housing can be a complex issue for many kinship families.
You can become overcrowded, or be struggling with existing problems related to your housing .

If you are caring for someone else's child and you are now overcrowded you may get higher priority to move to more suitable accommodation. 

The Housing area of our website holds information that could help if you are worried about rising household costs.

This could include rent and mortgage payments, energy costs and more. You’ll find advice on affordable housing, support for tenants and homelessness. There are also organisations you can contact for support.

Cornwall Housing You can also contact housingadvice@cornwall.gov.uk with any other queries. 

National Kinship Advice and Support

Looking after someone else’s child 
Government guidance on support and benefits you can get if you’re looking after someone else’s child

Family Rights Group
Family Rights Group is a charity that advises families whose children are involved with children’s services. They have a confidential advice service for parents and family and friend’s carers.

Kinship.org
This national charity provides a range of advice, support and guidance to kinship carers.

PAC-UK
The charity provides specialist independent advice, counselling, training and educational advice. It covers those affected by adoption, Special Guardianship and other forms of permanent care.

Kinship Carers UK
Kinship is a national charity supporting and advising kinship carers.  Kinship Carers UK is run by professional kinship carers. Their purpose is to advocate and help the carers and children through their journey.

Give feedback

We are consulting with kinship carers with different types of kinship arrangements so we can improve the support we offer. We aim to provide the best service that we can.

If you have feedback, ideas or are unhappy with the particular service you have received, we are keen to hear from you.

You can find information here about how to share feedback or make a complaint about Cornwall Council.

Give feedback

Last Updated:

18/02/2026

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