The Essential Guide to Kinship Care: Trauma-Informed, Practical Help for You and Your Family

Whether you’ve just been asked to care for a child or have been doing so for some time, this book is here for you. You might be the child’s grandparent, a relative, or someone with only a distant connection but whatever your relationship, stepping into a kinship care role can bring a mix of emotions.

You may feel relief, love, confusion, resentment, or simply be overwhelmed—especially if this responsibility came unexpectedly. Even long-term kinship carers can find the experience emotionally complex and full of challenges.

In this thoughtful and practical guide, Sarah Naish and Enza Smith address the many questions kinship carers often have but struggle to find answers to. With dip-in, dip-out sections, the book offers guidance on both immediate and ongoing issues such as bereavement, substance misuse, child abuse, and more.

Designed to be a reassuring and accessible resource, this book acts as a steady companion throughout your kinship care journey, offering clarity, support, and understanding when you need it most.