What we do
Kinship Circles Training exists because too many children and families are misunderstood. We deliver specialist, trauma-informed training for organisations working with kinship children - helping the professionals to see the family behind the child. Rooted in lived experience and professional practice, our training builds understanding, compassion, and confidence - so that kinship families are recognised, supported, and no longer invisible.
Created by people who have lived the reality of kinship care — the sudden change, the heartbreak, the strength it takes to rebuild family life, and the love that holds everything together. We are kinship carers, educators, counsellors, and advocates who understand that behind every child is a family doing their very best, often with little recognition or support.
We have stood in school corridors trying to explain complicated family circumstances. We have navigated social care, court processes, emotional trauma, and the day-to-day challenges of helping children feel safe again. We know what it’s like to support not just the child in kinship care, but the siblings, cousins, and the wider family who are all affected.
We believe every professional deserves the knowledge and confidence to understand these journeys. Our training exists to help schools and services recognise the whole family circle — the carers, children, families, and professionals who wrap around them.
We are here to make sure kinship families feel seen.
We are here to make sure they feel understood.
And we are here to help build systems where they no longer have to fight to be heard.
Kinship - a (very) brief overview
What do we mean by kinship care?
It’s normally when a child is being raised or cared for by relatives (for friends) that are not their parents - this could be a temporary arrangement, or something more long term.
What types of kinship arrangements are there?
Informal Kinship care – where there is no legal order in place
Special Guardianship Order (SGO) – this is a legal order that gives a person parental responsibility and removes the child from the system
Child Arrangement Order (CAO) – this sets where the child lives which could involve shared or sole parental responsibility
Who is responsible for the kinship child?
The person - or family - looking after the child in kinship care will be referred to as one of the following three terms. They effectively mean the same thing but can vary depending on where you are in the country (and there could be more!)
Connected Foster Care – the child is still under the care of the local authority but a court or panel has approved the family member that they reside with
Kinship Foster Carer - the child is still under the care of the local authority but a court or panel has approved the family member that they reside with
Family & Friends Carer - the child is still under the care of the local authority but a court or panel has approved the family member that they reside with
Obviously there is so much more to kinship and the legality involved, so if you or someone you know is a kinship carer or you just want to find out more you can make use of the many resources available - such as the charity Kinship, who organise local peer support groups, and the Family Rights Group.
Ready to learn?
If you’re interested in working together or finding out more, drop us a message and we’ll be in touch shortly.