These are family members and friends who step in at times when children are at their most vulnerable - keeping them out of care, says GMB Union
GMB, the union for all carers, is calling on the Government to give equal access to financial, practical and emotional support, to kinship carers and special guardians.
Kinship carers are family or friends who step in to care for children who would otherwise go into care.
They do this without the same access to support that is afforded to foster carers.
At times, with little information regarding the practical implications, with little or no financial support, and no employment rights regarding paid time off from their normal employment when going through the process or afterwards.
This week GMB is backing Kinship Care Week – a celebration of the role that kinship carers play in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in society.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:
“GMB is proud to represent kinship carers and special guardians throughout the UK.
“These are family members and friends who step in at times when children are at their most vulnerable - keeping them out of care.
“Yet they do so with little to no support.
“They have also been some of our forgotten key worker heroes throughout covid-19.
“It’s time the Government finally recognises their valuable role in society and provides them with adequate support, equal to that of foster carers.”
