Kinship Voices: listening to kinship carers
- May 14
- 1 min read
Children across Gloucestershire will benefit from improved understanding and decision-making following direct discussions between kinship carers and county councillors at a recent event.
Gloucestershire County Council recently hosted Kinship Voices: A Conversation with Councillors, bringing together kinship carers and elected members to share experiences and discuss how best to support children who are cared for by relatives or close family friends.
When parents are unable to look after their child, kinship care enables a relative or someone close to the child to step in and provide stability within a familiar network.
The event provided councillors with first-hand insight into the realities of kinship care, as a young person, Perran, and kinship carers told their stories. They spoke about their experiences: of stepping into caring roles, often at short notice and during periods of family crisis; the importance of early information, clear guidance and practical support; and the positive impact of feeling recognised, listened to and understood.
