Kinship care affects thousands of families across the UK. When a child cannot live with their parents, it is most often a grandparent, aunt, uncle or close family friend who steps in. These carers take on enormous responsibility, often at short notice following a family crisis. Yet they receive far less financial, practical and emotional support than foster carers. The impact on their health, finances and wellbeing can be significant.
Kinship Carers UK was founded in 2011 by Enza Smith MBE, after she became a kinship carer for her own grandchildren. What began as a peer support group of three carers has grown into a national network reaching more than 850 families across the UK. Enza co-authored The Essential Guide to Kinship Care and has helped raise the profile of kinship carers at a national level, including engagement with MPs and government ministers.
Support for kinship carers
The charity delivers one-to-one advice and emotional support via telephone, email and face-to-face contact. Carers receive practical guidance on benefits, legal status, education and access to statutory services, as well as advocacy support when engaging with schools and local authorities. Weekly online and in-person support groups run nationally, alongside a community café with specialist guest speakers. Training resources cover trauma-informed care, carers’ rights and managing children’s behaviour. Approximately 24 active volunteers help power the network, ensuring support for kinship carers remains accessible, human and consistent. Carers report increased confidence, reduced stress and better access to financial entitlements. Placement stability improves, and families stay together.
Growing support across the UK
With a grant from John Good Group, Kinship Carers UK will sustain and grow its direct work with families experiencing financial hardship, emotional strain and isolation. Funding will contribute primarily to staff costs, enabling timely, practical support for kinship carers to continue. It will also support the development of clear, accessible information resources. In addition, the grant will help establish a new toddler and carer playgroup, creating space for carers build resilience and strengthen informal support networks.
Being shortlisted brings an overwhelming sense of relief, validation and responsibility. Kinship carers so often step in during moments of crisis, with little preparation, limited support and significant financial and emotional strain. Being shortlisted feels like recognition that kinship families are real, visible and worthy of support. We are deeply grateful, not just for the possibility of funding, but for the acknowledgement that kinship carers are doing vital work to keep children safe and connected with their families.
Kinship Carers UK is a remarkable organisation doing vital work for some of the most overlooked families in the UK. Enza has built something truly special – a charity rooted in lived experience, driven by genuine passion and delivering real, measurable impact for more than 850 families nationwide. The governance is strong, the vision is clear and the ambition is inspiring. We are delighted that John Good Group’s support will help sustain and grow this important work, and we have every confidence in the team’s ability to continue championing kinship carers at both a local and national level.
Latest Project Updates
March 2026
Grants for Good Finalist
Kinship Carers UK has become one of the top five finalists in the latest Grants for Good round, and will receive a grant between £2000 and £5000 after employees at the John Good Group have voted on their favourite causes.