Family values: Council services to family and friends who care for others’ children

Councils must safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need in their area generally. In doing so, they should, as much as possible, promote the upbringing of those children by their own families. Councils have various powers and duties under the Children Act 1989 to provide a range of support to a ‘child in need’.

Councils must provide accommodation to children in their area in certain circumstances. Once accommodated, the child acquires ‘looked after child’ status and councils must provide ongoing support, including allowances to carers.

It is estimated that there are around 145,000 children in England being cared for full-time by friends and relatives. Around 7,000 of those live with approved family and friends foster carers as ‘looked after’ children. The remaining children are cared for through informal arrangements, sometimes with support from the local authority if the child is deemed to be ‘in need’.

The situation of children being cared for by friends and family is on the rise. The number of children in England cared for in family and friends care relationships increased by 260% from 1991 to 2001. The data from the 2011 UK Census is still being analysed.

It is important that these family and friends carers have fair and quick access to support from councils. Support includes financial support for the cost of caring for the child and practical support for the carer and the child.