Kinship care

Sometimes relatives and family friends care for children because their parents are unable to do so. If you are looking after a child like this you are a kinship carer.

The following support is provided to kinship carers in the Scottish Borders. The support provide depends on how you became a kinship carer. Our Kinship Care Team works with kinship carers.

Financial support

The weekly payment (for eligible kinship carers) before deductions is:

• £177.68 for children ages 0-4
• £206.71 for children ages 5-15
• £283.35 for children ages over 16

You will also be entitled to one week’s payment for birthdays and Christmas and two weeks for summer.

We deduct benefits that you receive from this amount.

Kinship carers are asked to submit evidence of benefits received for the amount to be calculated.

Funding to support legal costs

If you want to apply for a legal order to secure the child in your care and do not qualify for legal aid you may be able to get help towards legal expenses. The funding is based on your circumstances.

Social, emotional and practical support

Kinship carers can receive support from the Kinship Care Team with issues that they may have.

Training

Kinship carers will be invited to attend training provided by the Kinship Care Team, Family Placement Team and other agencies.

Kinship care support group

There is a support group provided by Children First, for kinship carers to meet up, receive support and share information. For more information about the group, contact Children First:

• email: ettrick@childrenfirst.org.uk
• phone: 01750 22892

More information

For more information please contact our Kinship Care Team by phone 01896 662799 or email: kinshipcare@scotborders.gov.uk

Independent advice and support

• KCASS (Kinship Care Advice Service Scotland), phone: 08000 28 22 33 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm and weekends from 9am to noon)
• Citizen Advice Scotland, phone: 0800 028 1456
• Parentline (Children First), phone: 0800 0282 233