Bromley Council celebrates Kinship Care Week from 6 to 12 October, honouring grandparents, relatives, and friends who step in to raise children when parents cannot.
Kinship care is when children are looked after by relatives or trusted adults because their parents cannot care for them, either temporarily or long-term. Carers may include grandparents, other family members, or people with a close connection to the child, such as family friends or neighbours. Sometimes called ‘Friends and Family Care’, kinship care can be informal or formalised through a legal order, and in some cases, it becomes a permanent arrangement.
Councillor Kate Lymer, Executive Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families, said, “Kinship carers represent the very best of our community-generosity, resilience, and unconditional love. Whether stepping in informally or through formal arrangements, these individuals provide children with the stability and care they need to thrive.
“We are committed to recognising and supporting kinship families. We encourage anyone in a kinship care arrangement to reach out to our team for guidance and support.
“During Kinship Care Week, we celebrate the powerful connections that keep children close to their families and communities. My heartfelt thanks go to every kinship carer in Bromley, you are unsung heroes of our borough.”
This celebration shines a spotlight on the diversity and resilience of kinship families and the vital role they play in providing loving, stable homes for more than 141,000 children across England and Wales.
Kinship carers often face and overcome complex challenges, all while ensuring children feel safe, loved, and connected to their roots. The Council works closely with Kinship, the leading charity supporting kinship families, to offer access to training, advice lines, peer support groups, and practical resources.
As part of the celebrations, the Council will host a Kinship Afternoon Tea Party on Friday 10 October, bringing together carers and families to honour their contributions and strengthen community connections.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- For more information on Kinship Care in Bromley, contact Bromley Permanency Service on fostering-duty@bromley.gov.uk, call on 0208 461 7442, download the Permanency App from the App Store or from the Google Play Store and visit www.bromley.gov.uk/FriendsandFamilyCare
- For media enquiries, please contact Liam Scoble in Public Affairs, on 020 8313 4688 or email; liam.scoble@bromley.gov.uk