Kinship One Minute Guides - Print version

Education & School support - Special Guardians

For Special Guardians

Purpose: To help Special Guardians understand educational support and how to ask for help.

Support your child may be able to receive

• Virtual School advice and information for schools supporting children who were previously looked after under a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order.
• A Designated Teacher at school [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a901d6ce5274a5e67567fc1/The_designated_teacher_for_looked-after_and_previously_looked-after_children.pdf] who is responsible for promoting the education of previously looked-after children.
• Pupil Premium Plus for eligible children who left care through a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order. Special Guardians need to tell the school and provide evidence.

How to ask for help

• Contact the school’s Designated Teacher to discuss support, wellbeing and progress.
• Contact the Virtual School [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/virtual-school/coventry-virtual-school-previously-looked-children/3]for guidance if the child was previously looked after.
• Ask for a meeting if the child is struggling with behaviour, attendance or learning.
• Ask about a SEND assessment if you believe the child has additional learning needs.

What schools should offer

• Understanding of trauma, loss and emotional needs.
• Flexible, personalised support where needed.
• Regular progress checks and clear communication.

Practical tips

• Share relevant background information sensitively.
• Keep written notes of meetings and agreed actions.
• Ask for one trusted adult in school the child can approach for help.
• Use Kinship [https://kinship.org.uk/] resources for further guidance.

Additional support

• Kinship workshops about school support, SEND and behaviour.
• Peer-support groups for Special Guardians.
• Local authority kinship support, including post-order support.

Kinship One Minute Guide - Health & Well Being

Purpose: To help Special Guardians support children’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and identify sources of help.

Understanding health and emotional needs

• Children in kinship care may experience trauma, loss, disrupted routines or early adverse experiences.
• These experiences can affect emotional regulation, behaviour, sleep, toileting and social confidence.

Supporting emotional and mental wellbeing at home

• Create predictable routines and consistent boundaries.
• Use calm explanations and offer choices to reduce overwhelm.
• Help children label feelings and use self-soothing strategies.
• Prioritise connection through shared activities and positive attention.

Accessing specialist support

• Wellbeing support through Health Assured [https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/UKCOVENTRY/2025/12/05/file_attachments/3483610/Wellbeing%20support%20for%20carers.docx], including counselling, a helpline, coaching, legal information and medical advice.
• Life-story work and therapeutic support.
• Local mental health and wellbeing services, including NHS services, Early Help and CAMHS.

Promoting physical health

• Ensure access to GP, dental and vision checks.
• Encourage activity, healthy eating and good sleep routines.
• Be aware of conditions such as FASD and how they can affect development.

Looking after your own wellbeing

• Access counselling, coaching and Special Guardian peer-support groups.
• Attend training about trauma, behaviour and attachment.

Useful links

• Kinship: health and wellbeing [https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/health-and-wellbeing/]
• Managing emotional and mental health needs in kinship families [https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/managing-emotional-and-mental-health-needs-in-kinship-families/]
• Health and wellbeing workshops [https://kinship.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-workshops/]
• Trauma, attachment and emotional support resources [https://kinship.org.uk/advice-topic/health-and-wellbeing/]

Kinship One Minute Guide Training & Development Opportunities

For Kinship Carers and Special Guardians

Purpose: To help Kinship Carers and Special Guardians access training, learning and development opportunities within Coventry City Council’s fostering service.

Why training matters

• Builds confidence and skills for day-to-day caring.
• Helps you understand trauma, attachment, behaviour and education needs.
• Keeps you updated with best practice and local guidance.

What training is available

• Courses covering behaviour, safer caring, trauma, SEND, wellbeing and more.
• Online learning options through Flourish.
• Workshops, events and specialist sessions for kinship and fostering families.

How to access training

• Use the Coventry City Council learning and development page for foster carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/learning-development-foster-carers].
• View the course list, dates and booking guidance.
• Discuss your learning needs with your social worker.

Making the most of training

• Keep a record of courses completed.
• Choose courses relevant to the child’s needs.
• Attend peer-support groups to share learning.

Useful links

• Learning and development for foster carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/learning-development-foster-carers]

Kinship One Minute Guide - Managing Behaviour that Challenges You

For Kinship Carers and Special Guardians

Purpose: To help Kinship Carers and Special Guardians understand and respond to challenging behaviour using positive, trauma-informed strategies.

Why challenging behaviour happens

• Behaviour is communication and may be linked to trauma, loss, fear or unmet needs.
• Many children in kinship care have experienced adversity, separation or SEND-related needs.
• Challenging behaviour can include defiance, anger, withdrawal, dysregulation or outbursts.

Core principles of positive parenting

• Stay calm. Pause and breathe before reacting.
• Provide connection before correction.
• Be consistent. Clear routines and boundaries can reduce anxiety.
• Model emotional regulation; children learn from the adults around them.

Practical strategies

• Identify possible triggers such as tiredness, overwhelm, transitions or fear.
• Use positive reinforcement and praise the behaviour you want to see.
• Redirect early when signs of escalation appear.
• Use simple, clear expectations and follow through consistently.
• Create a predictable environment with routines and visual cues.
• Offer choices to build control and reduce power struggles.

When you need extra help

• You are not expected to manage behaviour alone.
• Schools, social workers, SEND teams and health professionals can provide support.
• Peer-support groups can reduce isolation and offer practical ideas.

Useful links

• Managing challenging behaviour in kinship families [https://kinship.org.uk/support-and-advice/advice-and-information/challenging-behaviour-in-kinship-families/]
• Managing challenging behaviour workshop resources [https://kinship.org.uk/managing-challenging-behaviour-workshop-resources/]
• Kinship Compass [https://compass.kinship.org.uk/]
• YoungMinds: challenging behaviour [https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/challenging-behaviour/]

Kinship One Minute Guide - Managing Contact with Birth Parents

For Special Guardians

Purpose: To support Special Guardians in making contact with birth parents safe, child-centred and manageable while maintaining healthy long-term relationships.

Keep the child’s needs first

• Focus on what the child can cope with emotionally and practically.
• Prepare the child before contact by explaining who they will see, where, when and what to expect.
• After contact, check in gently and note any changes in behaviour or mood.

Follow the agreed contact plan

• Follow the contact arrangements set out in the court order or support plan.
• Avoid changing times or locations unless agreed with the social worker.
• Do not promise additional contact to parents or the child without discussion.

Practical contact tips

• Choose neutral, public and consistent locations for contact.
• Keep communication predictable, with clear times and clear endings.
• Bring activities to help ease anxiety.
• Avoid sharing personal details unless it is safe to do so.

Safeguarding considerations

• Be alert to intoxication, agitation or inappropriate behaviour.
• Watch for secrecy requests, pressure on the child or discussions about court matters.
• End contact early if safety is compromised.
• Keep factual records of what happened.

Managing relationships with birth parents

• Be calm, respectful and clear about boundaries.
• Use neutral language.
• Avoid being drawn into conflict.
• Respond consistently and refer back to the contact plan.

Looking after yourself

• Contact can be emotionally draining, so seek support when needed.
• Remember that Health Assured [https://enquiries.healthassured.org/] offers confidential health and wellbeing support, including help with personal or work-related concerns.
• You can also access support through the CCC Peer Mentor Scheme, Coventry Peer Support Network and the Kinship [https://kinship.org.uk/] charity.
• Ask for the contact plan to be reviewed if difficulties continue.

Kinship One Minute Guide - Safer Caring in Kinship Families

For Kinship Carers and Special Guardians

Purpose: To help Kinship Carers and Special Guardians create a safe, nurturing home that protects children, reduces risks and provides clear, consistent boundaries.

What safer caring means

• Safer caring balances warmth and nurture with safety.
• It helps prevent accidental harm, manage trauma-related behaviours and protect everyone in the home.

Why it matters in kinship families

• Children may arrive following a crisis or distressing experiences.
• Children may struggle with trusting adults, understanding boundaries or feeling secure.
• Safer caring provides structure, predictability and reassurance.

Core principles for a safe home

• Use consistent routines that reduce anxiety.
• Set clear boundaries around privacy, supervision and safe behaviour.
• Make sure all adults in the home understand and follow the Safer Caring Plan.
• Use trauma-informed responses to behaviour.
• Consider the needs of birth children, visiting children and other adults.

Creating a Safer Caring Plan

A Safer Caring Plan can include:

• household rules and expectations
• privacy and supervision arrangements
• safe sleeping arrangements
• digital safety and rules for visitors
• steps for responding to conflict or allegations

Review the plan if household membership or a child’s needs change.

Everyday safety tips

• Store medication, sharp items and cleaning products safely.
• Agree rules for visitors, including private spaces.
• Avoid unplanned overnight stays.
• Keep routines calm and predictable.
• Use clear, simple explanations to help children understand why rules keep everyone safe.

Useful links

• Learning and development for foster carers [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/learning-development-foster-carers]
• Kinship [https://kinship.org.uk/]
• Kinship care framework for local authorities [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kinship-care-framework-for-local-authorities]

Kinship One Minute Guide - Support Networks & Where to Get Help

For Kinship Carers and Special Guardians

Purpose: To help Kinship Carers and Special Guardians find local authority services, charities and peer support.

Why support networks matter

• Support can reduce isolation and stress.
• Peer groups and local services can provide emotional and practical help.

Local authority support

• Contact Children’s Services and the Kinship Team.
• Ask for an assessment of need.
• Join local peer groups, newsletters and meet-ups.

Charities and national support

• Kinship provides advice, training and workshops.
• Family Rights Group provides legal advice.
• The Raft provides emotional wellbeing and parent or carer support.

Peer-support groups

• Local meet-ups, coffee mornings and online groups.
• A safe space to share experiences and reduce isolation.

Kinship Compass

• An online hub for information, support and resources.
• Information about local services, benefits advice, training and peer groups.

Useful links

• Kinship Compass [https://compass.kinship.org.uk]
• Kinship [https://kinship.org.uk]
• Family Rights Group [https://frg.org.uk]
• Coventry Kinship Care Strategy and Local Offer [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/8536/kinship-care-strategy-and-local-offer]