Kinship Foster Care

Kinship foster care is when the child lives with someone who has a family link.  This could be a family member or a close friend.  A kinship foster carer is an approved foster carer.

Becoming a Kinship Foster Carer

You must take part in checks, interviews and training. This is the same process for all foster carers.  If accepted, you will sign an agreement. This explains your role and the support you get from Newcastle City Council.

Find out more about the assessment process here.

What You Must Do

As an approved foster carer there are lots of tasks you must do. These include: 

  • Keep the child safe and healthy
  • Meet with your social worker
  • Meet with the child's social worker
  • Attend meetings about the child
  • Take the child to health care appointments
  • Attend training courses
  • Make sure the child goes to school or college.
  • Support the child’s hobbies and interests
  • Keep daily notes about the child
  • Have health checks and police checks every 3 years
  • You may need to support family time, if it is safe to do so.
Grandfather holding baby

Support and Reviews

You will get money to help care for the child.  Your care must be good at all times.  Every year, you will have a review.  You can carry on if the social worker is happy with the care given. 

Decision Making

As a Kinship foster carer, you do not have parental responsibility.  This means you cannot make any key decisions about the child's care and upbringing.  The local authority will make all the major decisions.  The child’s birth parents may keep some parental rights.  

 

Next Page: Residence Order

Understanding Kinship Care
Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on September 30th 2026
Page last updated
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