In England, a new government pilot scheme will provide guaranteed financial support to kinship carers, specifically grandparents who take on full-time care for their grandchildren to prevent them from entering the care system. This initiative has been hailed as groundbreaking by charities, which argue that if it is fully implemented throughout England, it could significantly improve the lives of tens of thousands of children who are cared for under kinship arrangements. Such arrangements typically involve relatives like grandparents, aunts and uncles, or family friends who assume parental responsibility when a child's biological parents are unable to care for them due to various circumstances such as death, illness, or legal issues.

For over twenty years, advocates for kinship carers have been campaigning for financial support and recognition of the important roles these individuals play in the lives of vulnerable children. Many kinship carers have reported feeling neglected and undervalued, often described as a "cheap option" in the caregiving landscape, despite the substantial savings they provide to the state by avoiding the costs associated with foster or residential care. The scheme addresses these concerns and aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by relatives who step in during critical times, allowing them to provide a stable home environment for children in need.

The pilot scheme targets approximately 132,000 children currently in kinship care arrangements in England, spotlighting the need for recognition and support in a system that has historically overlooked the contributions of these caregivers. With the potential to transform how kinship care is perceived and funded, the trial may pave the way for a more sustainable and supportive future for both the children and their caregivers involved in these arrangements.