How we support contact between children and their family in a kinship arrangement
Find out how we support contact between children and their family in kinship arrangements.
Our duty to promote contact between children and parents
Brighton & Hove City Council has a duty to promote family time (contact) for all children in need, although this differs depending on whether the child is currently cared for by us or another type of caregiver.
Where the child is not cared for by us, we are required to promote contact between the child and their family, 'where it is necessary to do so in order to safeguard and promote his or her welfare'.
As part of the support arrangements, specific assistance may be required to ensure that contact can be managed safely. If necessary, information will be made available to kinship carers about local contact centres and family mediation services, and how to make use of their services.
Where a child is cared for by us, we are required to endeavour to promote contact between the child and his or her family 'unless it is not practicable or consistent with the child's welfare'. The overall objective of the contact arrangements will be included in the child's care plan and the specific arrangements will be set out in the child's placement plan.
Contact arrangements in kinship care placements can be challenging to manage and may require ongoing support from Brighton & Hove City Council. Support for contact arrangements will be addressed in the special guardianship support plan, and support is available through the Kinship Care Support Service.
Parents are usually expected to take responsibility for getting to and from contact.