What is kin care?

Kin care, also known as family care or kinship care, refers to the placement of children who are unable to live with their biological parents with relatives or close family friends. This arrangement is considered a more preferable alternative to traditional foster care, as it allows children to maintain important connections with their biological families, culture, and community.

Kin care can be formal or informal, depending on the legal custody arrangement and involvement of child welfare agencies. In formal kin care cases, caregivers may receive financial assistance and support services to help meet the child's needs. In informal kin care situations, caregivers may not receive financial assistance or have legal custody of the child, but still provide a safe and stable environment for the child.

Research has shown that children placed in kin care tend to have better outcomes in terms of stability, well-being, and permanency compared to those in traditional foster care. Kin care is often seen as a more culturally appropriate and family-centered approach to out-of-home care for children in need of a safe and nurturing environment.