Funding Found For Kinship Care

A cash windfall is to be used to provide financial support to “kinship carers” in Dumfries and Galloway. They are relatives or friends who step in to look after children who cannot be cared for by their own parents.

It has been estimated that as many as 300 children across the region are in such care. A one-off £47,000 payment from the Scottish Executive is to be shared between the carers and the You Are Not Alone support group.

The local authority said in most cases kinship care was a better option for the child than being placed in foster or residential care by social services. However, those providing kinship care do so without any financial backing.

Willie Scobie, who is the chairman of the committee with responsibility for social services, has welcomed the cash injection. He said it was only a first step and added that kinship carers should receive the same level of financial support as foster parents.