What is "kinship care" in the context of child welfare?

Kinship care refers to a form of child welfare placement where children are cared for by relatives or other close family friends. This arrangement emphasizes the importance of keeping children within their family network, providing them with a sense of stability and familiarity during a potentially turbulent time in their lives.

By placing children with relatives, kinship care aims to maintain their connections to their family and cultural background, which can be critical for their emotional well-being and development. This approach often allows for continuity in relationships and can help mitigate the feelings of loss or disruption that may accompany more conventional foster care placements.

Placing children with relatives not only fosters emotional stability but may also facilitate better adjustment to their new living situation compared to being placed with strangers. Overall, kinship care represents a proactive and supportive practice within the child welfare system that acknowledges the significance of family bonds.