Scotland's Vision for Kinship Care: Our Offer of Support for Families - For engagement and consultation

3. The Evolving Nature of Kinship Care

Kinship care refers to situations where a child is unable to live with their parent(s) and instead resides with someone they already know - for example a relative, a close family friend, a godparent, or a guardian with an established relationship. These carers, known as kinship carers, take on the responsibility of meeting the child's day-to-day needs and supporting their wellbeing. Kinship care is often, but not always, the right option for the child and decisions should continue to be based on how best to meet the unique needs and wellbeing of the child and ensure they are safe, loved and able to thrive.

Kinship care in Scotland has developed significantly over time. What began as informal and sometimes unclear arrangements has evolved into a more structured and recognised form of care. Today, kinship care is increasingly understood as a vital way to help each and every child remain connected to their family, community and cultural identity. This evolution reflects a growing recognition of children's rights to stable, loving relationships and the importance of supporting families - whether related by blood or bond - so that children and young people experience a sense of belonging, safety and support.

The main legislative framework for kinship care in Scotland, whilst connected to the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, lies within Part 13 of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the Kinship Care Assistance (Scotland) Order 2016. However, children in kinship care have a diverse range of experiences and may be subject to a range of legal orders, or none. Some children live with relatives through private family agreements without statutory involvement, while others are supported through a child's plan developed in collaboration with their family. Some children are looked after by the local authority, who asks the kinship carer to care for the child on their behalf, while others live with carers under a Section 11 order (regulating Parental Responsibilities and Rights) or are supported by a guardian appointed under section 7 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. Corporate parenting duties apply when a child is looked after; they do not apply to children living with kin under Section 11 or private arrangements, although support may still be offered.

Kinship care plays an essential role in delivering The Promise by allowing children to remain with family or close friends and within their community wherever safe and appropriate.

Over the past decade, kinship care has grown significantly as a proportion of care placements. Legislative and cultural shifts towards family-based care have contributed to this trend. The increasing recognition of kinship care reflects Scotland's commitment to ensuring children are cared for in environments that support their identity, relationships and long-term wellbeing, while recognising that appropriate support is critical to sustain placements.

The table below shows the rate of looked after children per 1,000 (ages 0–17) by placement type since 1988. Over time, the share in kinship care has risen, foster care grew then declined more recently, at home placements have trended down since the late 2000s, and residential care has remained relatively stable at a low rate, alongside an overall fall in the total rate since the mid-2010s.