Kinship care is when a child cannot live with their parents. Instead, they are cared for full‑time by a relative or a close family friend.
This may be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, stepparent, or someone the child already knows and trusts.
Kinship care may also be called:
- family and friends care
- connected persons care
- special guardianship
Whatever the name, kinship carers give children a safe and stable home at a difficult time.
Kinship Local Offer
Our Kinship Local Offer outlines the range of support, services and resources available to kinship families.
Kinship Local Offer (PDF, view in browser or download)
Our Kinship Team
We have set up a new Kinship Team to better support kinship carers in Central Bedfordshire.
What the Kinship Team does
Our team of 8 social workers:
- completes kinship assessments
- gives advice and guidance
- supports all kinship carers, including those with Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs)
One of our main priorities is to develop an accessible local offer. This will help carers find the right information and support when they need it. We will use carers’ feedback to shape this work.
Post‑SGO support
We have launched a Post‑SGO Support Service within our Kinship Team.
A dedicated social worker is helping us build this service. We will share:
- updates
- newsletters
- training opportunities
- events for special guardians