Question reference: S4W-02005
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 2 August 2011
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 30 August 2011
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recommendation in the report, Relative Value: The experiences of kinship carers using the Scottish CAB service, that “local authorities and the Scottish Government need to recognise that the needs, including the need for financial support, of kinship carers of non looked after children are often the same as the needs of kinship carers of looked after children”.
Answer
The Scottish Government recognises that many kinship carers care for children who are not looked after but who also need additional financial and non-financial help. That is why we believe kinship carers should be supported financially by the tax and benefit system first and foremost. We are committed to securing further changes from UK Government to make this happen and have been in regular dialogue with relevant departments.
In addition, when the national Kinship Advice, Outreach and Support Service was launched in March in partnership with Children 1st, “informal kinship carers” were specifically included within its remit. The service can be contacted through Parentline on 0800 028 2233.