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Episode details

Radio Scotland,5 mins

How hard is it to be a kinship carer?

Morning Call

Available for over a year

How hard is it to be a kinship carer? Citizens Advice Scotland have publishing a report that puts the of issue of 'kinship care' in the spotlight. That's the official term for what happens when a child is unable to be looked after by their own parent, but instead of being 'taken into care' is looked after by a family member. Kinship carers save the Government millions of pounds per year but unlike foster and residential care, most kinship care arrangements are not recognised by the state (the Scottish Kinship Alliance estimates there are over 60,000 children in this situation). Even when they are recognised though there are calls for more support especially when it comes to finances.

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