Scotland’s national children’s charity, Children First is delighted to now be providing the Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland.

We have been providing support to kinship families for over 30 years across Scotland and are an established provider of kinship care support services. Our service will bring kinship carers, their friends, extended family, and potentially birth parents together to collaboratively plan the best support for children.

Through our support line, which is open seven days a week, we will provide expert practical, emotional and specialist financial and legal support to kinship carers and their families.

Linda Jardine, Director of Children and Family Services at Children First said: “We are delighted to be providing the Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland. At Children First we have decades of expertise in providing support to kinship families across the country and are trusted by them to provide day to day routine advice and support and life changing help for children and carers.

“For children who need to leave their parents their health and wellbeing and life outcomes are greatly improved if they stay in kinship care. We are committed to supporting carers and children to maintain stable, safe and loving families.

One kinship carer from Glasgow said: “Kinship is not an easy task both physically and mentally, I’d never have managed without the support I receive from Children First.”

In 2024, Children First helped more than 8,600 children and over 8,800 parents and carers to have a brighter future through practical, emotional and financial support. In the last year, the charity supported 508 kinship families. This included 761 carers and 739 children. 

Any kinship carer who needs support now can call Children First’s support line on 08000 28 22 33 and speak to our friendly team or visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline to start a webchat.