The Essential Guide to Kinship Care

This book is an excellent resource for all those affected by kinship care. It is written in an accessible and informative format, making it suitable for kinship carers and practitioners alike. It helps individuals navigate their way through the complicated legal processes and emotional challenges that may occur within kinship care, always keeping the needs of the child central. The book includes a helpful focus on therapeutic parenting; helping carers to understand and respond to the emotions of the child and building a strong and supportive bond. The kinship carer’s own wellbeing and self-care is also rightly prioritised. Kinship carers and multi- agency practitioners who read this book, will wonder how they ever coped before it was published! – Dr Alison Prowle, Department of Children and Families, University of WorcesterLike a reassuring arm around your shoulder, resolutely on your side, this is the book all kinship carers will want to read. Its easy to dip in and out of format makes it an essential guide for families and individuals at all stages of their kinship journey as it shares advice about navigating the initial impact of becoming a kinship carer, followed by the potential hurdles and changing relationships along the way. It demystifies legalities and jargon and offers both practical and emotional help, enabling kinship carers to anticipate challenges, plan for the future and feel more in control. – Nicola Stobbs, Department of Children and Families, University of WorcesterKinship carers are incredible. Far too often they are wholly unsupported at every step. There are few people actively working harder to change this than Sarah and Enza, and so I am very pleased the authors have written this book. It will be a valuable resource to anyone beginning their journey, and to those already experiencing the highs and lows. Becoming a kinship carer is giving a child the most incredible gift. It is a gift of your time, your understanding, and your love. Let this wonderful book guide you forward. – Gareth Thomas, Trainer, The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma, therapeutic foster parent and special guardian

Sarah Naish is the author of the bestselling parenting guide The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting. She is an adoptive parent, CEO of The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma, founder of the National Association of Therapeutic Parents, and SAfER Fostering, director of Inspire Training Group and author of the hugely popular Therapeutic Parenting Books series.

Enza Smith, MBE, has dedicated 25 years of her life to being a kinship carer. She has extensive experience as a special guardian as well as experience in child arrangement orders and the care system. In 2011, she founded Kinship Carers UK, a grassroots registered charity that provides vital support to kinship carers.