SERVICE DETAILS
Emotional and Social needs
Kinship care occurs when friends or relatives take on care of a child or young person when their parents are no longer able to look after them. This could be for a variety of reasons ranging from mental or physical health concerns, substance misuse issues or bereavement. It is estimated that there could be as many as 200,000 children in the UK today living in kinship care environments. However, whilst this can avert a child being placed into foster care, many kinship carers report financial challenges in light of having to take care of children in unforeseen circumstances, often with heightened support needs.
Some examples of how we can help tackle these issues include:
- Clubs to help them integrate into a new community or build relationships with their peers, for example, after school clubs
- Activities that allow a child to explore their feelings for example drama or art club
- Therapy for example, art therapy or play therapy
Household needs
We understand that the responsibility of looking after a child can come at little notice and bring unforeseen financial stress, often at difficult times for the potential carer. That’s why we can also help set up a home as part of the grant. We can consider things such as:
- Essential home furniture such as a cooker or a child’s bed
- Items to decorate or personalise a child’s bedroom
- Clothing and school uniform
- Toys and baby equipment
- Help with moving costs
Educational needs
Children can enter kinship care environments having experienced any number of issues that can interrupt their education. To help minimise this disruption, we can help by offering support, including paying for:
- Books and educational toys
- Educational supplies such as laptops, stationery and equipment
- School uniforms
- Tutoring lessons
- Homework club
- Tools and technical equipment
- Travel costs to and from college
Are they eligible?
Who can we help
To be considered for enhanced support, applicants must be:
- Children or young people aged 18 or under; in financial hardship and who have experienced at least one other social issue – such as for example, mental or physical ill-health, neglect, homelessness, or bereavement.
- Receiving on-going, regular support from a professional organisation.
- Normally resident in the UK with the intention to remain in the country long term.
- Applicants must have ensured that every effort has been made to check that a statutory, education or governmental body cannot fund the activity or item being requested.
- Applicants must have already exhausted all other sources of public funds for which they are eligible, including their Local Authority’s Welfare Provision Scheme.
We are unable to help:
- Children who are Looked After by the Local Authority
- Where there is any other clear statutory responsibility for meeting their needs
APPLY NOW
Applications must be completed by an organisation that is supporting the family or young person and is capable of assessing their needs. The referrer should also be able to administer and supervise the grant on our behalf.
Please see https://www.buttleuk.org/need-support/families/kinship-care#help
