Conference to discuss 'kinship' care
A conference is being held in Liverpool
on Friday, 27 March 2015, to promote awareness of kinship care.
Kinship care is where a child who would otherwise end up in foster care is
placed with a family member or a close friend of the family.
It has huge advantages as it ensures continuity of care for the young person
because they remain with someone they know, but the Council is keen to know what
more it can do to support carers.
Liverpool City Council currently spends £5 million supporting children in
kinship placements who are living with their family members subject to Special
Guardianship Orders and Child Arrangement Orders.
Speakers at the event, which is taking place at Everton Football Club, include
Pauline Thornley; the founder of PADA (Parents Against Drugs and Alcohol), Sam
Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus, West Derby MP Stephen Twigg and
representatives from the City Council, including Chief Executive Ged Fitzgerald.
The delegates will include carers, young people, social workers, housing
providers and Merseyside Police.
Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for children's services, said:-
"We have around 90 kinship carers in Liverpool and we know from experience that
it is hugely beneficial for the children as it means there is a level of
continuity of care for the young person.
We really value kinship carers, often they are members of the child's extended
family. We will be listening very hard to what they tell us, and coming up with
ideas in order to strengthen their relationship with Children's Services.
I will also be taking the opportunity to thank them for doing such a fabulous
job for Liverpool children."
