What's the Problem with Kinship Care?

Abstract

This article by Hedi Argent is based on her recent book, Ten Top Tips: Supporting kinship placements (BAAF, 2009). Here she explores the barriers to best practice in family and friends placements. Her experience of working with children and families in both local authorities and voluntary agencies goes back nearly 40 years and follows the journey of kinship care from being an informal private arrangement to becoming the statutorily acknowledged first consideration for all children who need alternative family placements.