Scotland's vision for kinship care: our offer of support for families

1. Ministerial Foreword

I want to start by expressing my thanks to every one of you who has contributed to shaping our National Vision for Kinship Care over the last nine months or so. This work simply wouldn’t have been possible without the insight and honesty of kinship carers, children and young people, and the many practitioners and partners who support them. I have been genuinely moved by the compassion, energy and commitment in Scotland’s kinship community.

I also want to take a moment to recognise the significant work that has already been done across Scotland over many years to support kinship families. We have come a long way. Through the collective dedication of everyone involved, Scotland has steadily built a stronger, more compassionate approach to kinship care. The Vision honours the progress achieved, acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, and recognises the collective determination that has brought us this far.

Today I am proud and delighted to share with you Scotland’s National Vision for Kinship Care and our offer of support for families. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and stable home, and kinship carers are a crucial part of making this possible – often stepping in at a moment’s notice to provide care, security, and continuity for children within their family and friend network. Our vision is underpinned by our commitment to Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) and our pledge to Keep The Promise, as well as the central mission of this Government to tackle child poverty.

Research shows that kinship care is often the best way to maintain a child’s sense of identity, belonging and connection with their family and community. But we also know that carers face unique challenges: financial pressures, emotional strain, and navigating complex systems. That must change. Publishing this Vision and our offer to kinship families will make a difference but implementation is key.

I acknowledge that there are financial and workforce challenges – some of which we are addressing through the new National Social Work Agency – but this means we cannot deliver everything straight away or at the same time. We must be realistic about what we can do. The Government is committed to working alongside partners and kinship families to produce an implementation plan with clear timescales, funding and sequencing of work which takes account of other major reforms, including those as a result of The Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill 2025. We also want to work with you to work out the detail of some of our offer, drawing on all the skills, expertise, knowledge and lived experience held across Scotland.

Finally, as some of you know, I am stepping down after the Scottish elections in May so I want to end by personally thanking all the kinship carers, practitioners and the wider workforce across Scotland, many of whom I have met and who have helped shape my thinking in relation to this national vision. I have been truly impressed by your dedication and commitment to making a positive difference for children and young people facing difficulties and challenges, and providing them with safe and nurturing homes that can change lives.

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise