Kinship Bristol
Information and advice for Bristol's kinship carers
Who kinship carers are
Kinship carers look after children in their family when their parent or parents cannot care for them.
They can be grandparents, uncles and aunties, or siblings. Other adults who have a connection to the child, such as a close family friend, can also be a kinship carer.
Options for kinship care
There are different types of kinship care available.
Special guardianship
A child is cared for under a court order by family or friends who have overriding parental responsibility for the child.
Kinship fostering
A child lives with a family member or family friend who we have approved as a foster carer to look after the child.
Child arrangements orders
A child lives under a court order with family or friends who share parental responsibility and decision making with the child's parents.
Private fostering
A child is cared for 28 days or more by someone who does not have parental responsibility or is not a close relative.
"Becoming a special guardian has changed my life in every conceivable way but I wouldn't change it. It's hard work, especially on my own, but the girls make me smile every day and I couldn't imagine life without them"
A special guardian in Bristol
