Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans her Department has to take forward the commitments in the Championing kinship care: national kinship care strategy, published on 15 December 2023.

This department recognises the valuable and important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children.

The department is determined to give every child the opportunities they deserve, and kinship carers play a crucial role in delivering this. We know that many children who receive care from relatives and friends need extra support, including in school. We are working to ensure their needs are met, and that they have the best possible opportunity to succeed.

The government has expanded the role of virtual school heads to include specific responsibilities to promote the education outcomes of children in kinship care and recently announced the appointment of the first National Kinship Care Ambassador.

The government has extended the delivery of over 140 peer support groups across England, available for all kinship carers to access, where they can come together to share stories, exchange advice and support each other. A package of training and support is being delivered to kinship carers across England.

This government is considering how to most effectively transform the children’s social care system to deliver better outcomes for children and families, including how best to support kinship families.