Kinship care is when children live with relatives or close family friends when their parents are unable to care for them. They often do it out of love and commitment, not because they planned to become carers.

When we talk about kinship care or kinship carers, we mean:

• relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, cousins
• family friends or people who already have a close, trusted relationship with the child

For more information, you can email kinshipsupport@bexley.gov.uk

Kinship Zones national pilot

The Kinship Zones national pilot is an important new project that will change how the UK supports kinship carers who step in to look after children when parents can’t.

Bexley is really pleased to be one of the areas taking part, helping children stay safely with their families and frineds is a key part of our work, and this pilot gives us a great chance to strengthen our support even further.

What is the pilot about?

The government is testing new ways to support kinship carers. This includes things like:

• Money for carers to help with the costs of looking after a child.
• Practical support for families, especially when they need help early on to keep things stable at home.

Where is it happening?

The pilot will run for three years in seven areas across the country, including Bexley.

What does it mean for Bexley?

Bexley is really pleased to be one of the areas chosen. It fits with the work already happening to help children stay safely with their wider family whenever possible, rather than going into foster care.

What’s happening next?

Bexley residents will start seeing more information about the pilot from next week, including information on our website and posts on social media, as everything builds up to the official launch on 1 of April 2026.