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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · 21h

Across England and Wales this week, communities are celebrating the vital role of grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, and family friends - who step up in extraordinary ways to keep children safely in their family. #KinshipCareWeek

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · 27d

More information about our APPG's SEND sessions can be found here: frg.org.uk/policy-and-c...

frg.org.uk

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · 27d

Our 2nd spotlight session yesterday on kinship families raising children with special educational needs & disabilities.

@lucypeake.bsky.social Kinship
@annabirdfr.bsky.social @contactfamilies.bsky.social
Johanna Bernard #FamiliesInHarmony
Kate Cox #IPSEA
Brian Roberts @nationalfasd.bsky.social

A screenshot of the Zoom evidence session the All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care held, focused on special educational needs and disabilities. It includes APPG Vice Chair Munira Wilson MP alongside Johanna Bernard from Families in Harmony, Anna Bird from Contact, Kate Cox from the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) , Dr Lucy Peake from Kinship and Brian Roberts from The National Organisation for FASD. The session was facilitated by Family Rights Group.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · 28d

🗓️Today's the day - our APPG's second spotlight session on special educational needs and disabilities. All MPs and Peers are welcome. Please contact Jordan on [email protected].

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Sep 8

This week our APPG will hold a second spotlight session on kinship families raising children with special educational needs and disabilities💡

We will hear evidence from
@contactfamilies.bsky.social
#FamiliesInHarmony
#Kinship
#IPSEA
@nationalfasd.bsky.social

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care spotlight session focused on kinship families raising children with special educational needs and disabilities. The session will be on Wednesday 10th September and will hear evidence from Contact, Families in Harmony, Kinship, IPSEA and the National Organisation for FASD. The APPG is supported by Family Rights Group.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Sep 8

Find out more about our Group's work on this issue including our interim submission to Government and the Minister's response: frg.org.uk/policy-and-c...

frg.org.uk

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Sep 8

This week our APPG will hold a second spotlight session on kinship families raising children with special educational needs and disabilities💡

We will hear evidence from
@contactfamilies.bsky.social
#FamiliesInHarmony
#Kinship
#IPSEA
@nationalfasd.bsky.social

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 23

More information about the session on 8th July can be found on our Group's website: frg.org.uk/policy-and-c...

frg.org.uk

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 23

💡In our first spotlight session on special educational needs and disabilities, our Group heard from kinship carers across England about their experiences navigating the #SEND system.

As the Government prepares its proposals for reform, our APPG is working to ensure kinship voices are heard.

Graphic from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care spotlight session on special educational needs and disabilities. One photo includes kinship carer Clare Walsh, APPG Chair Melanie Onn MP, Lord Hampton and Cathy Ashley who is Chief Executive of Family Rights Group, stood in front of the APPG's banner. The second is taken during the APPG discussion and includes Munira Wilson MP, Joe Robertson MP, Peter Swallow MP and Lord Hannay.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 8

Keep up to date on the APPG's work by signing up to the Group's newsletter on our website: frg.org.uk/policy-and-c...

frg.org.uk

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 1

More details about the Review can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/c...

Parental leave and pay review

Government review of the parental leave and pay system in Great Britain, co-led by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Work and Pensions.

www.gov.uk

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 1

"We strongly welcome the inclusion of kinship families in the Review and will work to ensure as many families as possible can contribute."

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 1

"The evidence on the potential benefits of kinship leave entitlements to children, kinship carers, the economy and the exchequer is compelling."

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 1

"Our APPG, working with kinship families across the country and campaigning charities, has made the case for why kinship carers stepping in for children are a crucial part of that picture."

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 1

"The Parental Leave and Pay Review is a major opportunity to take a comprehensive look at how leave entitlements support the balance of family life including care commitments, alongside remaining in work and supporting economic growth."

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Jul 1

Today the Government has announced the Parental Leave and Pay Review.

Our APPG strongly welcomes the inclusion of kinship families in the Review's remit.

Group Chair @melanieonnmp.bsky.social responds:

Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review to explore employment leave entitlements for kinship carers. Melanie Onn MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care, said: "The Parental Leave and Pay Review is a major opportunity to take a comprehensive look at how leave entitlements support the balance of family life including care commitments, alongside remaining in work and supporting economic growth. Our APPG, working with kinship families across the country and campaigning charities, has made the case for why kinship carers stepping in for children are a crucial part of that picture. The evidence on the potential benefits of kinship leave entitlements to children, kinship carers, the economy and the exchequer is compelling. We strongly welcome the inclusion of kinship families in the Review and will work to ensure as many families as possible can contribute."

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Apr 1

“We are encouraged by the extension but will scrutinise the details including any expansion when they are available.”

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Apr 1

“The Minister was unclear on whether further children in kinship care could become eligible for this support. Our Group, alongside families and the sector, has been calling for this to ensure all children in kinship care who need this are able to access it.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Apr 1

“We urged the Government to confirm funding for 2025-26, and whilst the £50 million announced today is very welcome the uncertainty has left families in limbo.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Apr 1

“The All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care has heard from kinship carers across the country about the critical difference that therapeutic support makes to the children they are raising.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Apr 1

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care welcomes the £50 million extension to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund for 2025-26, announced by @janetdaby.bsky.social in response to an urgent question from APPG Vice Chair @munirawilson.bsky.social today.

Read our statement:

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Mar 26

At #PMQs today APPG Vice Chair @munirawilson.bsky.social raised the imminent cliff edge in funding for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Mar 25

A PDF version of the letter can be read here: frg.org.uk/wp-content/u...

frg.org.uk

APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Mar 25

Our APPG received a reply from @janetdaby.bsky.social on the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund.

"I recognise the importance of continuity in therapy, and we are committed to providing clarity on ASGSF funding at the earliest possible opportunity."

Read the full letter below:

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Mar 20

Over in the House of Lords, APPG Member Lord Hannay also raised the future of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund with Education Minister Jacqui Smith, following discussion at yesterday's APPG session.

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APPG on Kinship Care @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social · Mar 20

Today @tessamunt.bsky.social urgently asked Leader of the Commons @lucympowell.bsky.social for an update on the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

Our APPG has heard the current funding uncertainty beyond March 2025 is leaving many kinship families in limbo.

@janetdaby.bsky.social

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