Across Plymouth, approximately 715 kinship carers are currently providing loving and stable homes for children and young people, often stepping in during times of crisis. These carers can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, or trusted family friends who take on the responsibility of raising a child. By keeping children connected to their families, communities, and identities, kinship carers offer the essential love, security, and sense of belonging that every child deserves.
Throughout Kinship Care Week, Plymouth City Council is celebrating the significant contribution of kinship families. Stories from local carers are being shared on the Foster for Plymouth Facebook page, alongside a variety of wellbeing and creative activities. The week also serves to showcase Plymouth's newly launched Kinship Local Offer, which provides families with access to specialist advice, training, practical support, and enhanced financial assistance for eligible carers.
Councillor Jemima Laing, Plymouth City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, stated: "Kinship carers play an invaluable role in the lives of children and young people across Plymouth. They open their hearts and homes, often at short notice and during difficult circumstances, to provide children with the stability, love and support they need to thrive. Your commitment changes lives and helps children stay connected to the people, places and relationships that matter most to them. We have also strengthened our support offer to kinship families, including financial support for eligible carers, because we recognise the vital role they play in helping children stay within their family network."
The new Kinship Local Offer consolidates information on available support for kinship families in Plymouth. This includes specialist training, dedicated advice, peer support opportunities, therapeutic services, and enhanced financial aid for eligible carers. The initiative aims to simplify access to help and ensure children can remain safely connected to their wider family network.
The week's events will conclude with Plymouth's annual Kinship Forum on Friday 9 October. This forum will bring together kinship carers, children, young people, councillors, and senior leaders to discuss experiences of kinship care and contribute to shaping future support services in Plymouth. Feedback from the event will directly influence service development, ensuring kinship families remain central to decision-making processes. Refreshments will be provided, and interested individuals are encouraged to book their free space.
As part of this year's celebrations, Theatre Royal Plymouth has generously donated 56 tickets for the musical Cats, offering kinship families a special opportunity to enjoy an evening together. This donation is a fitting recognition of the contribution kinship families make to communities across Plymouth.
Councillor Laing added: "We are incredibly grateful to Theatre Royal Plymouth for this generous gesture. Experiences like these give families valuable time together, creating moments of joy and connection that can mean so much. It is a wonderful way to thank our kinship carers for everything they do, and we know the families who attend will have a fantastic time."
Residents are encouraged to follow the Foster for Plymouth Facebook page throughout Kinship Care Week to hear firsthand accounts from local kinship carers about their experiences, the challenges they have faced, and the rewards of providing a loving home for a child in need.
