Charity welcomes recognition of kinship carers

Age Scotland has welcomed the unveiling of plans to formally recognise the parenting responsibilities and rights of kinship carers in Scotland.
Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell MSP today launched a consultation on the Children and Young People Bill designed to support children and families. Age Scotland spokesman Lindsay Scott said: "Many kinship carers in Scotland are grandparents, providing full-time care of grandchildren in place of parents. In such circumstances grandparents are often poor and in poor health themselves, caring for grandchildren who have already experienced difficult lives, and taking over their care puts further strain on the grandparents' health and wellbeing.
"However, the evidence in relation to providing care for grandchildren while parents work indicates that this is often welcomed and enjoyed by grandparents, provided it is not too onerous and that it fits with their personal preferences. Therefore, these plans, aimed at building on the 2009 ‘Looked After Children Scotland Regulations' which for the first time gave local authorities the power to pay an allowance to kinship carers, are to be heartily welcomed. "It is important that as many grandparents as possible who are kinship carers participate in the consultation and articulate just what kind and amount of support they would like to see for Scotland's families."Tweet