Kinship Care Advice Service

Kinship care advice service for Scotland

The Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland (KCASS) provides support and advice to kinship carers across Scotland, who play a critical role in providing secure, stable and nurturing homes for children who cannot be cared for by their birth parents. Since 2020, the service has been operated by Adoption UK Scotland and the Association for Fostering, Kinship and Adoption (AFKA) Scotland.

What is kinship care?

Kinship care means that children whose birth parents are unable to look after them are cared for by other relatives, like grandparents, uncles or siblings, or by other adults who have a connection to the child, such as neighbours or a close friend of the family.

Each kinship arrangement is different depending on how the child comes to live with the kinship carer and whether or not legal orders have been made or sought.

What services does KCASS provide for kinship carers?

- A dedicated helpline for kinship carers to provide support on such issues as finances, benefits and the law.
- Support groups and activities for children and young people living in kinship arrangements.
- A website providing the latest information and advice about kinship care, and signposting to services and resources.
- Helpsheets covering various aspects of kinship care and parenting care-experienced young people.
- A Kinship Care Advisory Group that gives kinship carers a voice in shaping services and policies.
- A peer support service involving local community groups and events.
- Training and workshops for kinship carers.
- Training and advice for professionals who work with kinship care families.
- An annual Kinship Care Week to raise awareness of kinship care, celebrate the difference it is making and call for changes in policy and practice.

To find out more about our services and how we can support you, visit the KCASS website at https://kinship.scot.

The KCASS Helpline is open on weekdays from 10:00am - 2:30pm. Contact our advisors on 0808 800 0006 or by emailing us at advice@kinshipscot.org.