Alan and Julie, from Bradford and Leeds, became full-time kinship carers for their granddaughter Ella, who has severe learning and physical disabilities, when she was a baby. Alan, 65, stated that social services gave them 10 minutes to decide whether to take her on, or she would enter local authority care.
The couple agreed to care for Ella, who was born with Charge Syndrome and requires 24-hour care. This decision led them to give up their property maintenance business and move house. Alan has since had a heart attack, and Julie, 66, also has health problems. Ella's aunt Claire has moved in to help with her care.
According to the charity Kinship's annual survey, seven out of 10 kinship carers report having no time to prepare for a child's arrival, with four out of 10 having less than an hour to decide. Unlike foster carers, kinship carers do not receive paid leave, financial assistance, or social worker support.
Lisa Watch, director of policy and communications at Kinship, stated that outcomes are better for children who remain within secure families, but these families are often not entitled to support. The charity offers free services, including an advice line and peer support groups, to help kinship carers.