Research project

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by University of Exeter in collaboration with Kinship and supported by the University of Plymouth and Torbay Council. 

Research team

University of Exeter: Professor Felicity Thomas, Professor Katrina Wyatt, Dr Lorien Jasny. Dr Tom El-Hoss, Susanne Hughes, and two of our kinship carers in Torbay. 

Kinship: Dr Louise Sims

University of Plymouth: Dr Felix Gradinger

Study Status: Ongoing

Background

The main source of support for many kinship carers comes from family, friends and community groups. However, we don’t know who this more informal support is available to, what role it plays and how this differs with factors like kinship carer and child age., child needs, religion, ethnicity and location. 

Research aims and objectives

The objectives are to:

1. Understand the shape and distribution of support networks available to diverse groups of kinship carers across the UK.
2. Undertake in-depth social network mapping and analysis across three diverse case study sites.
3. Identify protective factors which support kinship carers at different stages of the care process as well as areas where networks are weak or fragile. 
4. Establish how information on support networks which encompass family and friends, voluntary and community sector support and statutory support can more effectively inform kinship carer assessments and targeted support. 

What does the study involve?

Kinship will add questions to their national annual survey about social networks and how they help kinship carers to support their children.

We will undertake in-depth social network mapping and interviews with kinship carers in Torbay, Walsall and Newcastle. We will train and support kinship carers as peer researchers to help us carry out data collection. We will also speak to children’s social care teams in the three areas to understand how kinship carer social networks are taken into account during assessments and could be strengthened in support plans.

How can I take part?

1. Kinship’s annual survey – kinship carers from across England and Wales will be able to contribute to the study via questions within Kinship’s annual survey (Summer 2024).
2. Social mapping – kinship carers living in Torbay, Walsall and Newcastle will be invited to take part in the social mapping part of the study. This work started in Torbay in Summer 2024 and is expected to start in Newcastle and Walsall in Spring 2025.
3. Peer researchers – we will be recruiting, training and supporting kinship carer peer researchers to support data collection in Walsall and Newcastle.

Who can I talk to about the project?

If you are interested in taking part or have any questions, contact:

• louise.sims@kinship.org.uk
• T.El-Hoss@exeter.ac.uk