Types of kinship arrangements

Arrangements made within the family only

The parent makes the arrangement or a close family member (defined as grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, or step-parent only) steps in because the parents were not available. The length of the arrangement is decided by the person with parental responsibility (PR) or someone who has taken out a legal order to care for the child. The council is not part of these arrangements.

Private fostering 

The parent makes the arrangement or a carer steps in because the parents were not available. In these instances, the carer is not a close family member. If the arrangement is intended to last for 28 days or more as decided by the person with parental responsibility, the arrangement needs to be approved by the council.

Child Arrangement Order (previously known as a Residence Order) and Special Guardianship Order

A family member, friend of the family or a non-related foster carer has been awarded this legal order. The local council may have placed the child, the parent may have made the arrangement, or a carer may have stepped in because the parents were not available.

Arrangements made for children in our care

Where the child is placed by the council with a carer they have approved. The carer can be a relative or friend of the family and is called a kinship foster carer until formal arrangements are made. The child remains a 'child in our care' until or unless a Child Arrangements Order or Special Guardianship order is made. Where the child remains looked after, the carer remains as a kinship foster carer.