VSKAT

Useful Information for Parents

After speaking with parents and carers, we have put together the following information which you may find useful in addition to the Quick Links section of this website. If you are a school or professional, you may find this section useful in supporting your families.

Caring for somebody else’s child

Children are often brought up by members of their extended families, friends or other people who are connected to them. This happens for lots of different reasons and a variety of different arrangements. More information can be found on the Kent County Council website.

Charities and other organisations supporting Kinship Carers and Adopters

  • Adoption UK . The website also has information on Education Resources.
  • Children and Trauma Community Hub provides support for adopters, foster carers, special guardians and the professionals working with them.
  • Families in Harmony is an organisation dedicated to supporting families and kinship caregivers from diverse backgrounds.
  • Family Rights Group – Free, independent and confidential advice for parents, kinship carers, relatives and friends of children who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. They support families to work with social workers and understand the law, their rights and options.
  • First 4 Adoption
  • Kent PACT – a Parent carer forum, to help get their voices heard.
  • Kinfest is a registered charity run entirely by volunteer kinship carers. Every donation and penny raised goes directly into supporting kinship families through events, holidays, and community building activities.
  • Kinship Carers UK is a national charity that supports and advises family and friends’ carers often called Kinship Carers or Connected Carers that are thinking or taking on the role of parenting someone else’s child.
  • Kinship is the leading care charity in England and Wales.
  • PAC-UK Special Guardianship Support Service provides comprehensive and up-to-date information, guidance and support for special guardians.
  • PAC-UK
  • Special Guardianship Support provides information and resources for Special Guardian Carers.

Education related Financial Support and benefits

  • Children Care costs for pre-school children.
  • Free School Meals – If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, and you receive certain benefits, you may be able to get free school meals for them.
  • Pupil Premium for previously looked after children. If a child or young person has been in the care of a local authority, prior to a Special Guardianship or Child Arrangements order, the school will be able to claim pupil premium for previously looked after children.
  • School Uniform information for Kent. Also, contact your school for more information on their second-hand uniforms available.
  • Transport to school costs for eligible children.

Special Education Needs and Disabilities

Local Support

School Attendance and general school information

Emotional Health and Wellbeing

Recommended Books and Classroom Resources

The diverse nature of today’s family structures means that schools need to be inclusive to all types of families as well as providing education as to the importance of social acceptance.

There is a vast array of books and classroom resources for all age groups. These can be used, not only in PSHE lessons, but across the curriculum.

The lists below are a good starting point, but there are many more available.

Reading with your child

Supporting your child with Maths