About Kinship Connected
Kinship Connected gives you your own Kinship Navigator. They're someone who really understands kinship care. They'll work with you one-to-one to help you get the support you need, feel more confident, and feel less alone.
This programme is for all kinship carers except kinship foster carers, If you are unsure of what type of kinship carer you are, you can ring our free advice service: 0300 123 7015
You will need to live in the local authority that is taking part in the trial.
Please read this before you continue
Kinship Connected is currently running as a pilot research trial. This means we are testing the programme in 4 areas: Blackpool, Newham, Oxfordshire, and Rochdale.
The trial is funded by the Department for Education and independently evaluated by 2 research organisations called Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and Ipsos.
Because this is a pilot, we can't guarantee that everyone who applies will be able to access support from a Kinship Navigator straight away.
Some kinship carers will start the programme straight away. Others will be offered a place 6 months later. Everyone who is eligible will be offered support.
Having kinship carers start at different times helps us compare groups and understand whether the programme really makes a difference. Who starts first is decided at random - like picking names out of a hat.
Receiving Kinship Connected is a 2-step process
This short form is step 1. It takes about 4 minutes to complete.
Once you've submitted it, we'll send you an email straight away.
That email will have everything you need to know about the programme and the research trial it's part of. This will include an information sheet from CEI and Ipsos.
It will also include a link to complete your full application which is Step 2.
Step 2 takes about 15 minutes, and you can do it when you're ready.
Why is this a 2-step process
Because this is a research trial, we have responsibility to make sure you have all the information you need before you decide to take part. We can't ask you to make that decision before you've had a chance to read everything properly.
So step 1 is just your basic details. Step 2 is when you find out everything and decide whether it's right for you.
The details you share in this form will be stored securely by Kinship.
We will not share your personal information with anyone else at this stage. You'll have the opportunity to read our full data sharing information and give your consent at step 2.
If you need support right now
This form is not monitored in real time. If you need to speak to someone today, please contact:
- Kinship Advice Service (freephone): 0300 123 7015 (Mon-Fri, 9am-2pm)
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24 hours)
If you do require urgent support this research trial may not be appropriate for you at this time.
You don't need to make any decisions yet. Just fill in your details below. If you're ready to go ahead, please fill in the form below.
Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are mandatory.