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<p>Kinship carers play an extremely important role in both their kin children’s lives
and in the Children’s Social Care system.</p><p>The department published the consultation
and implementation strategy: Stable Homes, Built on Love, on 2 February 2023, which
sets out how we will achieve broad, system-wide transformation. Through this strategy
we have made a commitment to implement each of the Review’s recommendations on kinship
care.</p><p>The department has committed to working across government to explore possible
additional workplace entitlements and options for an extension of legal aid for kinship
carers with a special guardianship order (SGO) or child arrangement order (CAO). The
department is also exploring the case for mandating a financial allowance for kinship
carers with SGOs and CAOs in every local authority.</p><p>The department is committed
to publishing a national kinship care strategy by the end of 2023. This will provide
an update on reform activity such as exploring financial allowances. The strategy
will set out a long-term vision for kinship care, and detail how we can better support
children and carers. The department sees this as a pivotal moment for kinship care
and will be an opportunity to make real and lasting change.</p><p>Statutory guidance
issued to local authorities already makes it clear that children and young people
should receive the support that they and their carers need to safeguard and promote
their welfare. There is no limit on the level of support, including financial support,
that local authorities can provide. All local authorities should have in place clear
eligibility criteria in relation to the provision of support services.</p>
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