How does my Kinship child view Kinship care?

I will not be including her name on this blog, to best protect her privacy.

Also note: My Kinship child is 12 years old, and is not triggered by any of the questions I asked her. We have very open conversations frequently and she does not view her home situation negatively. I will be referring to my Kinship child during this as “LO”.

Q – What are your earliest memories of coming to live with me? LO: “I think it was near Halloween i brought a suitcase to stay overnight and did fun activities.”

Q – What do you remember about school, did your friends ever ask you questions about it? LO: “When I was being picked up from school people would ask me is that your mum and dad”

Q – What was your answer and what was their reaction? LO: “Id answer honestly, most of my friends thought it was cool, some people thought it was weird.”

Q- What do you remember about your childhood when you was very little? LO: “I found it quite fun, as I got the same as any other child would get.”

Q- Do you remember social services visiting? LO: “I don’t remember social services a lot I was only young” (The last visit took place aged 6)

Q- How do you think schools could help kinship children? LO: “Provide extra support for child and adult. Free school dinners, and provide child mental health support.”

Q- Should the support be automatic or only if a child is struggling? LO: “Should be automatic weekly checks.”

Q- What would you say if you met a child who like you lived with a family member? LO: “I’d say it doesn’t matter who the family member is as they are still looking after you and raising you. I tell that child probably that the person that looks after her still loves her like a mum would”

Q- How do you view our relationship now? LO – “I see you less like a sister, you are more like my other mum” (she jokes maybe I should have it on a T-shirt)

Q- What helps you? LO: “People being supportive, cheering up, teaching how to play football and I’ve got a large family” (She also mentions a teacher from primary school, who offered her pastoral care and support. She expresses her love for her)