The Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland (KCASS) welcomes the new report into kinship care published by the Social Justice and Social Security parliamentary committee.

We would like to thank the committee for inviting members of the KCASS advisory board to engage with the discussion and give evidence of their experience as kinship carers. Our members took part in a private meeting with committee members in March, and KCASS submitted a briefing paper to the committee ahead of its initial meeting.

We are glad to note that the report identifies kinship carers as playing a “vital role in providing stable, nurturing homes for children who cannot live with their parents”, and we welcome the committee’s stated aim of investigating ways in which support structures for kinship carers can be improved. The report states that kinship carers often receive support that is inadequate when compared to the financial and emotional impact of becoming a carer, and we strongly agree that more support must be given to kinship carers, and this support must be easily accessible.

It is also heartening to read that the committee recognises that the terminology used to describe kinship care arrangements can often be overly formal or confusing. Carers have often told us that this can lead to additional challenges when it comes to finding support, and we would welcome any moves to simplify the language used around kinship care.

We welcome all of the recommendations made in the report, particularly those calling for improved training in kinship care for all DWP and HMRC staff. We also agree with recommendations that the Kinship Care Collaborative should establish ways of ensuring clear and precise information is shared with kinship carers; that the current guidance on “at risk of becoming looked after” is aligned with the GIRFEC framework; and that the Scottish Government provides regular updates and timeframes for the development of all suggested improvements.

We would also hope to see a refocus of the allowances review and the introduction of a minimum allowance in the near future. Consistency in the support provided overall by local authorities would be a step forward and we eagerly anticipate these developments. Overall these recommendations, when implemented, should enhance the support currently received by kinship families.

KCASS has taken on board the committee’s comments regarding our service and will continue to work alongside our stakeholders and Advisory group members to ensure we listen to kinship carers and continue to meet their needs and those of their families. We are committed to enhancing the service we provide, by providing advice and support to kinship carers and producing valuable materials such as the What Now? booklet and updated website, both of which were developed with the support of Kinship Carers.

Read the committee’s report in full here: Kinship Carers | Scottish Parliament