Thanks to Gloucestershire County Council, kinship carers across the county are being given a pay rise, bringing them in line with mainstream foster carers.
The change marks a significant step towards creating a fairer, more transparent system which recognises both the skills of the carers and the needs of the children they care for in Gloucestershire.
When parents aren't able to look after a child, kinship care enables a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend to step in and provide stability within a familiar network.
But while this form of care plays a vital role in keeping children connected to their communities, kinship carers have historically received lower financial support than general foster carers – something Gloucestershire County Council Fostering has sought to change.
Driven by the commitment and passion of GCC Fostering's head of service, the council has now taken action to address this imbalance.
The decision reflects growing recognition that kinship carers undertake a demanding, highly skilled role that should be properly valued and supported.
As fostering has evolved, so has the role of kinship carers, with the pay rise acknowledging that they should be treated less as an informal, private arrangement and more as a professional responsibility that requires appropriate financial and practical support.
Tammy Wheatley, head of service for fostering at Gloucestershire County Council, said: 'Gloucestershire is proud to align kinship carer payments with those for mainstream foster carers, reflecting a national movement advocating for fairer support for kinship families.
'We’ve recently launched our Local Offer for Kinship Carers, which sets out the support available, including dedicated advice, guidance, training and practical help. Kinship carers do an extraordinary job, often stepping in at short notice to keep children within their family network and we’re committed to recognising and valuing the difference they make every single day.'
For more information about kinship care, or a no-obligation chat with the Gloucestershire County Council Fostering team, call 01242 532654, visit gloucestershire.gov.uk/fostering or email fostering@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
