BRIDGWATER's Member of Parliament, Ashley Fox, seeks clarification on improving support for the 141,000 children in kinship care.
The MP recently asked the government to make a statement in the House of Commons about the issue. During a recent Business Questions, Ashley Fox highlighted that 47% of these children have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and requested clarification on the government’s efforts to enhance support for these children.
Responding in the Commons, the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, acknowledged the importance of kinship carers, stating, "Kinship carers play a vital role, and special educational needs are vital in our mission to ensure opportunity for all. Special educational need has been the poor relation for the last few years, and that is something that we are going to put right."
In a follow-up letter, the Minister for Children and Families outlined the government’s support. One of the measures highlighted was the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, which has provided over £400 million in funding since 2015, helping more than 50,000 children access support for trauma and attachment issues.
The letter also noted the 140-plus peer support groups have been established across England, allowing kinship carers to share experiences, advice, and support with one another.
Ashley Fox said: "I'm grateful to the Minister for her reply. I will continue to support kinship carers and the children they spend so much time and love looking after.”
