CHILDREN 1ST launch series of kinship care forums

Are you raising a child who can no longer live with their parents – or know someone else doing so? If the answer is yes, then you are a “kinship carer” and advice and support is available at a series of Kinship Care forums held by CHILDREN 1ST across Scotland this month.

CHILDREN 1ST runs Scotland’s National Kinship Care service for anyone raising a child who can no longer live with their parents. Kinship carers can be grandparents, aunts or uncles, adult brothers and sister and family friends.

It is estimated that there are around 20,000 children living in kinship care in Scotland, many of whom are ‘hidden’ families who would benefit from knowing where and how to get help. The forums, which are free to attend, will link kinship carers with other families in their area and provide advice and support. Other organisations which support kinship carers will also have information stands.

The forums are being held at the Adelaide Centre, 209 Bath Street, Glasgow on Tuesday 12 February; the Gillies Centre, 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh on Tuesday 19 February and the Carers Cottage, Howard Park, Kilmarnock on Tuesday 26 February. All the events are from 10am to 2.30pm with lunch included. Travel expenses and help with child care costs is available.

The National Kinship Care service, funded by the Scottish Government, also provides a dedicated kinship care helpline run by ParentLine Scotland, open seven days a week, providing help with kinship care issues like financial issues, legal matters and family relationships. If you would like to attend the forums, or just want advice and support, please call ParentLine Scotland on 08000 28 2233.