Legal support
Kinship arrangements can involve complex legal responsibilities. Parental responsibility may lie with the kinship carer, the birth parents, or the local authority, depending on the legal order in place.
Kinship provides a helpful guide to legal support, including:
- understanding your legal rights and responsibilities
- finding a solicitor
- accessing legal advice
Kinship: Legal advice and information for kinship carers
Coram Children’s Legal Centre
Coram Children’s Legal Centre (CCLC) specialises in law and policy affecting children and young people. Lawyers and professionals, with experience in child law give free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, carers and professionals.
Helpline 0300 330 5480
Children's social care involvement and legal support
Social workers can request approval for funding to support kinship carers who are making private law applications. This is a one-off contribution intended to enable access to legal advice.
The funding can be used to obtain advice and support with completing a private law application, including where this is being considered as an exit route at the conclusion of Public Law Outline (PLO) proceedings.
This support is typically intended to cover a single session of legal advice and assistance with completing the application, rather than ongoing legal representation at court hearings.
During care proceedings, where a kinship carer receives a positive assessment, funding will be provided for a one-off legal consultation to support the review of the Support Plan.