Kinship care information and support
Kinship care is when a child lives with a relative or friend who isn't their parent because their parents are unable to care for them.
For information and support for relatives and family friends who care for children visit our Kinship Support webpages call 0131 529 2588 between Monday and Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm and Friday from 9 am to 3:30 pm, leave a message and we will call back.
kinshipsupport@edinburgh.gov.uk
Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland
The Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland website offers a range of information, help and advice with issues impacting kinship families including finances, legal issues, siblings, wellbeing and trauma.
Details of online events including education cafes which focus on different topics such as transitions or supports during the holidays can be found on the training and events calendar and booked on the Education Café Eventbrite page.
Information on peer support groups and a Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland podcast is also available. A Helpline offering free and confidential advice for kinship families in Scotland on any matter affecting them and the children in their care can be accessed from 10 am to 2.30 pm, Monday to Friday by calling
0800 800 0006
Big Hearts Kinship care support for families
The Big Hearts Kinship Care service offers free 1:1 advice on parenting strategies and financial and practical support through family support officers. Peer Support is available through a Kinship Families Group which meets weekly on Tuesdays and Kinship coffee mornings which run on alternate Mondays. A male carers group also meets monthly for social activities.
Please note the Kinship Care Helpline is not available at the moment.
Full information on the groups and clubs programme can be found on the Big Hearts website or by emailing
connor.mcnally@bighearts.org.uk
Big Hearts Befriending
Big Hearts provides befriending support for children and young people aged five to 16 years, living in kinship care/experiencing a high level of social isolation.
For more information contact jane@spacescot.org.
Kinship Care Mentoring
YMCA Edinburgh provides one-to-one mentoring for young people aged 8 to 14 years in a kinship care arrangement. The young person will be matched with a volunteer mentor and meet weekly to enjoy activities in the community, build a trusting relationship and meet any goals they set.
For more information or to make a referral contact
07715208528
Kinsfolk Carers
A relaxed supportive group for kinship carers. The group meets in local venues in the Leith area every Thursday from 10 am to 12 pm (during term time).
For more information contact
07958773780
Education PATHway Programme - Adoption UK
A service for adopted or kinship care families caring for a primary or secondary-aged child who is struggling in their education provision. Support is offered through Adoption UK’s PATH therapeutic services. Support may include a series of meetings with the school, support for families from a peer support partner or online therapeutic support for young people aged 13 years and above, for up to 15 sessions.
For more information email
0131 202 3670
#E Project
A service for children and young people who are adopted, living in kinship care and/or living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Monthly online sessions aim to develop individual skills, social interactions, confidence and self-esteem. Face-to-face opportunities and experiences also run. Open to 5 to 25 years old.
For more information email
0131 202 3670.
Children Health Scotland
A range of free online workshops to support the health and wellbeing of Kinship carers in Scotland and the young people/children in their care. Covering topics such as Adolescence, Understanding Trauma and Looking After Your Family and Self. Additional online workshops tailored to foster carers are also available.
enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org
0131 553 6553