Derby City Council is proud to support Kinship Care Week, 7 to 13 October. This special week is a time to celebrate the amazing people who help take care of children when their parents can’t.
Kinship care involves children living with relatives or close family friends rather than their parents. This arrangement provides children with a sense of familiarity, safety, and love during challenging times. Derby City Council supports over 300 kinship care families each year, helping to ensure that children remain in loving environments.
Being a kinship carer can be a demanding and emotional role. Kinship carers often take in children facing adversity, providing them with stability and comfort when they need it most. These carers are everyday heroes, selflessly stepping up to ensure that children stay connected to their families, though they may not always receive the recognition they deserve.
This year’s Kinship Care Week highlights the theme #ThisIsKinshipCare, celebrating the resilience, compassion, and commitment of kinship families. Each family has a unique story, filled with joy and challenges, and by sharing their stories, we can help more people understand and appreciate what kinship care is all about.
A kinship carer from Derby City shared their thoughts following the outcome of their Special Guardianship Order assessment. They said:
Getting the Special Guardianship Order was a life-changing moment for our family. We are truly grateful for all the support we received. The team went above and beyond, and I felt genuinely cared for. This experience is something I will never forget.
Another kinship carer expressed how financial assistance from Derby City Council made a difference:
Thanks to the support, I was able to take the boys on a trip to Skegness, buy them school uniforms, shoes, and outfits for the week. It’s made a real difference in their lives.
Betsy Moorley, Team Manager for the Friends and Family Team at Derby City Council, added:
Kinship carers step in during times of crisis, providing stability and love to children within their family networks. Despite facing difficult and emotional circumstances, they ensure the children remain safe and cared for. We are here to support them through this journey. While we celebrate them during Kinship Care Week, their dedication deserves recognition every single day.
Michala Wild, Network Development Manager for Kinship, the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales, said:
We are delighted that Derby City Council is proud to support Kinship Care Week, shining a light on the 300 kinship care families they support. Kinship carers often step in in a moment of crisis, often not planned and often not financially, emotionally or practically equipped to do so. Kinship Care Week is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible role that kinship carers play in children’s lives and society. It’s also an important time to help everyone understand what kinship care is.
Cllr Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Inequalities, and Customer Inclusion, said:
My immense thanks to all our Kinship carers who face incredible challenges to ensure children remain safe and cared for within their family networks. Kinship Care Week provides a valuable opportunity to not only celebrate their dedication and resilience but also to raise awareness about how we can better support and meet their needs. Their selfless work is vital, and we must continue to recognise and assist them in any way we can.
Derby City Council extends heartfelt thanks to all kinship carers, not just during this special week, but throughout the year, their love, care, and commitment to keep children safe within their families is invaluable.
To learn more visit the Derby City Council's looking after someone else's child webpage, visit the Kinship webpage or watch video here.