What is a “postcode lottery”?

Why is it a common phrase in Kinship care?

If you have ever been part of a social media group relating to Kinship care you will hear the term “postcode lottery” very often from fellow carers.

So, what do we mean by postcode lottery? Postcode lottery sums up the frustration of many carers. It seems every carer has had different experiences with their local authority. Two families could have a mirror situation, and end up with entirely different outcomes of support. The issue is Kinship families and the support entitled are vastly different from each other, creating an unbalanced system. The guidance offers no consistency for kinship families. Hence why it is referred to as a “postcode lottery” it could depend on something as simple as where you reside.

Wait… isn’t there a legislation for Kinship care?

There is no country-wide legislation for Kinship carers, there is “guidance” and every local authority seems to invent their own rules about Kinship care and how they follow the “guidance”. You could call the process an interpretation because that’s exactly what it is. “The statutory guidance for local authorities on family and friends care” is interpreted differently across the UK. This impacts the support some of our most vulnerable children and families in society receive.

This means some children receive no help whilst other children in similar circumstances do, and the deciding factor of that help is what your local authority determines is there. There is often very little communication on what’s out there that could in some cases, make the process easier. All Kinship carers want to know is what we can do to make things better!

If you are an informal carer meaning you saw a child/children in your family system receiving a poor outcome or lack of care. You may of even as an individual witnessed this child be subjected to neglect and abuse which is horrific in itself. As a person, you saw the immediate danger for that child and took the steps to make them safe providing them with a haven at that moment. The least we could do at this stage is simply just to take steps to maintain and support their new placement. Sadly for many “informal” carers they are not entitled to help, they do not qualify for any financial aid and they are left with a huge weight on their shoulders and often debt. I know many carers that have had to give up work or cut down the hours they work, to make the placement work practically and are facing huge financial pressure as a result. They also feel they cannot request aid or push for help from the local authority. Why is that you ask? Out of fear, they will be deemed a bad choice for the child and the children will be taken away from them.

“A placement that keeps a child safe, should never fail due to money”

Kinship carers are not entitled to even the most basic support in most cases. It is usual for people when preparing and planning for a child to make a plan. Put money aside, open a savings account and maybe buy a house so your child is guaranteed a roof over their head. Kinship care can happen overnight with no warning at any age for the carers and the children they now care for. No preparations can be made in advance for these carers who have become overnight parents.

It is not just about the financial practicalities either. These children often suffer from attachment issues, and we need to be aware of what that is. The local authority never informed me of this common thing to look out for in my Kinship child. Even when the signs were there, nothing was said. It’s not just the financial help that needs to be looked at, there is a whole plethora of support these children are missing and as carers, we are not given the guidance we need. I wasn’t informed of any support groups, or parent courses I could attend to support myself, whilst my life also went through major change. As a result, my well-being was impacted as I tried to hold the fort alone, and I had no one I could relate to.

“There are 162,000 Kinship children in the UK, that’s 162,000 vulnerable children in society”

There are 162,000 children in Kinship care, and sadly the numbers are increasing. As it stands though that’s 162,000 vulnerable children in our society that have enough weight to carry emotionally, in their circumstances. Where is the regard for their feelings? Why is there no support and awareness in schools? so a 4 year doesn’t have to face questions from her peers, asking where her mummy and daddy are. All whilst dealing with a loss of attachment from their birth parents and major change. Children are known for their adaptability, but aren’t we asking a little too much?

From carers I have heard from in the past, there is an outpouring feeling of anger and real frustration for this system. They see others get the help they so desperately need, to be told they are informal and therefore the child hasn’t achieved the “looked after” status from the local authority. Imagine how it feels to be told it’s not offered to them. Feeling helpless and trying to be strong is not an easy ask. Why not offer support to all carers who need it? Regardless of how the situation unfolded. Could any normal person put a child in danger? Isn’t it better to make decisions quickly based on the best interests of the child? In my opinion the stipulations of how the “formal” carer title is awarded by the local authority and in turn the Kinship child to automatically receive “looked after” status, based on that is an injustice. Shouldn’t all of these vulnerable children be “looked after” regardless?

For 162,000 children and growing, we can do so much better! A placement that keeps a child safe should never fail, because of money and an individual should not feel penalised and unsupported for doing the right thing.

My question for you today is, what was your experience of Kinship Care was you and your little one supported?

Thank you for reading!