Kinship Care NI supports kinship carers and their children in Northern Ireland.
A confidential and free telephone helpline, advice, information, training and support is provided to grandparents and other family members who have taken on the care of a child in very difficult and traumatic circumstances. Kinship Care NI's work with children and young people includes a specialist Advocacy Service, Peer Support and a range of social opportunities to help children come to terms with their earlier life experiences.
Why the community needs usKinship Care NI is the only organisation in Northern Ireland which focuses exclusively on supporting kinship carers and their children. In 2017/18 we helped and supported 929 carers and 846 children and young people. Kinship carers and the children they care for need to know someone cares and that they are not alone. Kinship Care NI ensures kinship carers and the children and young people they care for are given every opportunity imaginable for them to realise and achieve their potential
Our impact on the communityKinship carers and children and young people in kinship care report feeling more confident, less isolated and better informed about making decisions affecting their lives. Children and young people say their confidence has improved, they have learned new skills and made new friends. The work we do keeps families together and helps build the resilience and resourcefulness of both kinship carers and their children.
Support staff with administrative tasks, help raise awareness of kinship care, organise coffee mornings, help run support groups for carers, deliver programmes and attend activities with children and young people.
