HELPLINE 0808 800 0006 advice@kinshipscot.org
The helpline is open Mon–Fri, 10am-2.30pm and please leave a message if you require a call back outside of these hours.

Wellbeing and Trauma Resources

KCASS recognises children in Kinship Care often face additional challenges due to the circumstances and distressing experiences which led to them coming into Kinship Care, these experiences are often described as trauma. Kinship Carers will also have been impacted by these circumstances. In recognition of this we strive to provide a wide range of supports which can be accessed to help children and adults recover from a difficult period in their lives.

KCASS has a range of information which is relevant for Kinship families and help sheets can be accessed here.

Calming Techniques for Kinship Carers and the children and Young People in their care – Practically every Kinship Carer has been confronted by a situation when their children and young people ‘lose it’ and have a ‘meltdown’. Whether this is in the home or in the middle of a busy Supermarket this video will help explain why this might be happening, how to avoid it in the first place and some practical techniques for when it does happen. Watch Anne Wilson and Sarah Nelson of Children’s Health Scotland here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUnZz5dktGc&t=23s  

You can watch a video of a session delivered by Children Health Scotland on Understanding trauma and helping Recovery here: Understanding trauma and Helping Recovery – YouTube

Therapeutic parenting for Kinship Carers focussing on supporting children who have experienced trauma can be accessed here: Therapeutic Parenting for Kinship Carers workshop – YouTube

Listen to a Kinship Carer, Richard Rose and Sally Wassell here: Kinship Care Conference 2022 – YouTube

The UK Trauma Council helps provide an understanding of trauma, its impact on children and the brain and some information on supporting those affected by trauma and can be accessed here: UKTC (uktraumacouncil.org) 

Glasgow Educational Psychology Service have developed a series of videos focusing on the importance of relationships in supporting children and young people’s development, wellbeing and resilience.

The animations provide Kinship Carers with information and practical ideas to continue building nurturing and trusting relationships with their child or young person, and to support the wellbeing of Carers too!

There are five videos available for you to watch on the Glasgow Educational Psychology Service website. They are:

  1. Early Brain Development
  2. All Behaviour is Communication
  3. It’s all about Relationships
  4. Resilience
  5. Self-care

Videos can be accessed using the link below:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/glasgowpsychologicalservice/supporting-care-experience-cyp/

When you have watched the videos, please consider leaving some feedback below:

Kinship Carer Training Evaluation

Our colleagues at the FASD hub developed an information leaflet for KCASS and you can view this on our help sheet page and you can also visit the FASD hub website here: FASD Hub | Home | Adoption UK Charity

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder often affects Kinship families you can watch an informative video here: An introduction to FASD – YouTube

For children who are bereaved you can visit the Child Bereavement UK site who have some support information and this can be viewed here: Supporting bereaved children and young people | Child Bereavement UK

The Scottish Government has a list of accessible support for those who are bereaved and this can be viewed here: Bereavement support – mygov.scot

SAMH is Scotland’s mental health charity and resources can be found on their website, we particularly like: Improve your mental health and wellbeing | SAMH

Parent Line Scotland is the free, confidential, parent support helpline for anyone caring for a child in Scotland. You can call about any problem, however big or small.

Helpline: 0800 028 2233

Email: parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk

Children1st have a number of online videos for Kinship Carers – Conversations for Kinship Carers with Suzanne Zeedyk and Children 1st Parentline. These videos look at Laughter, organising and listening, initially developed during the coronavirus pandemic they are still relevant today. You can watch these on the Children 1st website here: Coronavirus: Kinship carers | Children 1st