Vision for Kinship Care

Overview

This consultation is seeking views on the Scottish Government’s working draft vision for kinship care, published on 22 December 2025. The consultation forms the basis for wider engagement and the vision statement will be revised following analysis of consultation responses. 

What is kinship care?

Kinship care refers to situations when a child cannot live safely with their parent(s) and instead lives with someone they already know—such as a relative, close family friend, godparent, or guardian with an established relationship. These carers, known as kinship carers, take on responsibility for the child’s day-to-day needs and wellbeing. Kinship care plays a vital role in helping children stay connected to their family, community, and identity. 

Developing a national direction

Kinship carers often step in at short notice to provide safe, loving homes for children. Their commitment is extraordinary—but we know carers face challenges, including financial pressures and navigating complex systems. Current arrangements can vary across Scotland, and many carers tell us they experience barriers in accessing consistent support. This vision aims to address those challenges by setting a clearer national direction. 

This working draft has been informed by engagement with stakeholders, including feedback from kinship carers through direct discussions and their representatives. We thank all stakeholders and kinship carers for their contributions, which have been vital to shaping this vision. This reflects early engagement and we recognise that further, broader input is essential. 

Our vision

Our vision is of a Scotland where children and young people living in kinship families receive the right support, at the right time, proportionate to their needs, so they can thrive and reach their potential. Kinship care should continue to be routinely explored where this is safe, appropriate, and in the child’s best interests, as a positive place for children to be cared for and, importantly, be recognised and valued as a vital part of society. 

Kinship carers and the children living with them would be supported through accessible and proportionate holistic, place-based, whole-family support, based on the 10 principles of family support outlined in The Promise. Children living in kinship families would be listened to and placed at the centre of decisions about their lives, with their rights upheld. There would be more equitable access to appropriate, high-quality help and support, recognising that local delivery models may differ but outcomes should be consistent for kinship families based on their unique needs and experiences, delivered by people and organisations working effectively together. 

This offer to kinship families is a first step in transforming how Scotland recognises and supports kinship families. 

Taking part in this consultation

We are now seeking views on this working Kinship Care Vision and Offer.  

The consultation is open to everyone, but we are particularly keen to hear from kinship carers (past and present) and people with experience of kinship care in any form. 

All responses will be carefully considered and used to inform the final version, which will be published in spring. Alongside the final vision, we will produce user-friendly versions for children and families. 

We know everything can’t be delivered straight away. The vision and offer set direction and we will continue to work with partners to understand resource, cost and workforce implications. We intend to co-design, with partners and those with lived experience, a realistic and affordable phased delivery plan, with clear timelines and milestones, sequenced according to resources and impact.  

Read the draft National Vision for Kinship Care. Here you will find the background information for this consultation. Please read it and refer to it while responding.