At Children’s Health Scotland, we recently invited kinship families from our Family Participation Group to share their views on the Scottish Government’s consultation on the National Vision for Kinship Care in Scotland. We were deeply grateful that 28 kinship families took part. Their reflections — honest, thoughtful, and rooted in lived experience — offer a powerful insight into what is working, what must change, and how we can better uphold the rights and wellbeing of children living in kinship families.
Kinship carers play an extraordinary role in Scotland. They provide love, stability, and safety for children who have often experienced trauma, uncertainty, or significant adversity. Yet too many families continue to feel overlooked or under‑supported. Through this consultation, carers generously shared their stories, frustrations, hopes, and clear messages for change.
Do Kinship Families Receive the Right Support at the Right Time?
Most families told us they do not. Only 1 carer (3.57%) felt they always receive the right support when they need it. Half said they do not receive timely support, and many described being left to cope alone from the moment a child was placed in their care.
Carers told us:
Our grandson was put in our care and we were just left to get on with it.
I was left to it with my niece… emotional, financial, advice, nothing!
Families described:
- long delays and barriers in accessing help
- major differences in local authority practice
- limited trauma‑informed and educational support
- unclear entitlements
- children’s voices not being included in decisions
The message was clear: consistency is missing, early intervention is lacking, and support varies widely depending on where a family lives.
Accessing Financial Support, Advice, and Advocacy
Kinship carers told us that accessing financial support and advice is often difficult, confusing, and inconsistent.
Only 21% found the process easy, while over half said it was difficult or very difficult. Families often experience delays of months, conflicting or incorrect information, and a reliance on carers repeatedly advocating for themselves.
Every bit of financial support I’ve needed, I’ve had to fight for.
I had my grandson placed with me… received absolutely no financial support until four months later.
Where advocacy services were available, they made a meaningful difference — but not all families have equal access to them.
Are Children in Kinship Care Listened To?
Most carers said that children in kinship care are not consistently heard.
0% felt children are always listened to
Over 80% said children are only sometimes, rarely, or never included in decisions
Carers told us children are:
- rarely asked for their views
- not invited to meetings about their own care
- misunderstood by professionals who don’t know them well
- overshadowed by parental needs in the decision‑making process
One carer shared:
Children in kinship care are never invited to any meetings regarding them.
A small number noted that involvement improves as children grow older, but overall the message is clear: children’s voices need to be central, not optional.
Should the Scottish Government Fund Self‑Management Skills (SMS) Support?
An overwhelming 96.43% of kinship carers said yes — one of the strongest messages in the entire consultation.
Kinship carers told us SMS support is essential because:
- Children have high levels of trauma, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm: Many children experience panic attacks, trauma responses, and emotional overload without timely statutory support. SMS helps children understand their feelings, communicate their needs, and build practical tools for self‑regulation.
- Services are inconsistent or inaccessible: Families highlighted long waits and limited trauma‑informed practice across local authorities. SMS fills a critical gap.
- SMS strengthens children’s health rights: Children learn to express their voice, understand their health, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them — a core health rights approach.
- Families have seen the impact through CHS programmes
Carers described the transformative difference CHS programmes have made:
Children love seeing their kinship family at Children’s Health Scotland. They have a sense of belonging.
We’ve learned how to support her voice, her rights, and her emotions.
Families are clear: SMS support is not optional — it is essential.
Final Reflections from Kinship Carers
The final comments from carers were powerful and deeply personal. They reveal the emotional weight, financial strain, and lifelong commitment involved in kinship care.
1. Immense personal and financial sacrifice
Many carers shared significant financial burdens:
It has personally cost me and my husband £20,000… but we’d do it all over again.
2. A need for better recognition of kinship care
Carers want parity with foster care, clearer legal protections, and training that reflects the reality of children’s needs.
3. Housing challenges affecting daily life
Some families have waited years for suitable housing or adaptations.
4. Exhaustion, isolation, and unwavering commitment
Carers spoke openly about loneliness and emotional fatigue — particularly older carers — but said they continue because of deep love for their children.
5. The transformative work of Children’s Health Scotland
Many used this final section to express gratitude:
The entire team are more like family to me and my child.
Children’s Health Scotland have been an invaluable source of support for us.
Moving Forward: Our Commitment
At Children’s Health Scotland, we are committed to ensuring that every child in kinship care is seen, heard, and supported to thrive. The voices in this consultation echo our longstanding belief: that children’s rights must be upheld, support must be timely and trauma‑informed, and families deserve equitable access to services — no matter where they live.
While we welcome the Scottish Government’s National Vision, meaningful change will require leadership, investment, and a commitment to ending postcode lotteries. We stand ready to work with government partners and kinship families to turn this vision into lived reality.
If You’re a Kinship Carer and Need Support
If you are a Kinship Carer and would like to know more about the support we offer — including our Self‑Management Skills (SMS) Programmes, rights‑based training, advocacy support, and opportunities to connect with other kinship families — we are here for you.
📧 Contact us at: LAFS@childrenshealthscotland.org
Our team is ready to listen, support, and walk alongside you and your family.
