Facts about Kinship

There are some shocking facts about Kinship Carers in the UK. It is estimated that there some 200,000/240,000 Kinship families in the UK. Even more shocking is the fact that in the NE the problem is four times ‘worse’ than throughout the rest of the UK, outside London. So far no one has been able to explain why this should be so. Now you add Wallsend to the equation – a known deprived area of the NE.

Some 50% of cared for children suffer from attachment and behavioural problems due to their early life trauma and are on the autistic spectrum and so require constant care.

When grandparents become Kinship Carers, there is little warning, often it is a knock in the night and you have a small baby to look after. Many promises of ongoing help are made but in reality very little is forthcoming. They arrive without a cot, their clothing, nappies and baby food and so you rush out to get the bare necessities. Perhaps you both work but you realise this child is a full time job for one or even both of you. So your income drops but you have extra expenses. Getting financial help is often a difficult and frustrating, all added to your stress of caring for this small person you are trying to look after. We deal with Finance issues elsewhere – under Financial Support

As a carer, you are constantly taken up with the care of the child and you don’t have time or even money for a social life, so your friends drift away, as they find it difficult to visit and cope with the demands this child is making on you. Maybe you feel ashamed that your own children have failed at parenting and this is why you the Kinship Carer are now looking after this child. You think you are the only person in this desperate situation ,so you don’t even consider there might be others or even that a support group exists. We do and we are here for you Come and join us. Relax knowing you are amongst friends who know exactly how you feel and will welcome you with open arms.

It is well known that the outcome for children brought up in Kinship Care is very much more successful than those brought up in a children’s home or even in Foster care, as the child knows it is within its own family where it belongs.