The CoramBAAF Annual Kinship Conference, scheduled for 2026, is poised to be a pivotal event in the national dialogue surrounding kinship care, focusing acutely on strategies for "Delivering better support for kinship families." Organised by CoramBAAF, a leading membership organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young people through adoption, fostering, and kinship care, the conference will bring together policymakers, practitioners, academics, and kinship carers themselves to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the kinship care landscape. This annual gathering underscores the growing recognition of kinship care as a vital cornerstone of child welfare in the United Kingdom, often providing stability and continuity for children who cannot live with their birth parents. The 2026 iteration aims to build on previous successes, pushing for concrete policy changes and practical improvements that directly benefit the hundreds of thousands of children and their carers across the nation.
The Critical Imperative for Enhanced Kinship Support
Kinship care, defined as the care of children by relatives or close family friends when their parents are unable to do so, represents the largest form of alternative care for children in the UK. Estimates from organisations like Kinship (formerly Grandparents Plus) and Family Rights Group suggest that over 180,000 children are currently being raised by kinship carers in England alone, with figures potentially exceeding 200,000 across the wider UK. This demographic is significant, often outweighing the number of children in foster care. Despite its prevalence and proven benefits in terms of maintaining family bonds, cultural identity, and stability, kinship care has historically been under-recognised and under-resourced compared to other forms of care.
Kinship carers, who are predominantly grandparents, aunts, uncles, or older siblings, often step in during times of crisis, absorbing children into their homes with little to no preparation or financial assistance. Data consistently highlight the severe financial strain experienced by these families. A 2021 report by Kinship revealed that many kinship carers face significant financial hardship, with one in four living in poverty. Unlike foster carers, who receive a statutory allowance, many kinship carers receive no financial support or only limited welfare benefits, creating a disparity that undermines their ability to provide comprehensive care. Beyond financial challenges, kinship carers frequently navigate complex legal frameworks, struggle to access appropriate therapeutic and educational support for children who have experienced trauma, and often feel isolated due to a lack of dedicated peer support networks. The emotional toll of taking on parental responsibilities, often in later life or while already raising their own children, is also substantial, with many reporting mental health issues such and anxiety and depression. The conference will serve as a crucial platform to amplify these lived experiences and galvanise collective action.
CoramBAAF’s Enduring Commitment to Kinship Families
CoramBAAF, formed from the merger of Coram Children’s Legal Centre and the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), boasts a long-standing legacy of advocating for children’s rights and improving care standards. Its expertise spans legal, social work, and policy domains, making it a pivotal voice in the UK’s child welfare sector. The organisation’s annual kinship conference has become a landmark event, providing a unique forum for knowledge exchange, professional development, and policy advocacy.
Historically, CoramBAAF has been instrumental in shaping professional practice and influencing government policy related to kinship care. Through its publications, training programmes, and research, it has consistently championed the needs of kinship families, pushing for greater recognition, better legal frameworks, and more equitable support. Past conferences have focused on diverse aspects, from the psychological impact of trauma on kinship children to the intricacies of Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) and the role of local authorities. The 2026 conference is a continuation of this vital work, reflecting an intensified focus on actionable strategies that translate policy discussions into tangible improvements on the ground. Its sustained engagement underscores the belief that a robust and well-supported kinship care system is fundamental to the well-being of vulnerable children.
Conference Themes and Objectives for 2026
The overarching theme of "Delivering better support for kinship families" signals a proactive and outcomes-oriented agenda for the 2026 conference. This theme is anticipated to break down into several critical sub-themes, each designed to explore specific facets of support and identify pathways for improvement. Key areas of discussion will likely include:
- Legal Frameworks and Recognition: Examining the adequacy of existing legal provisions, such as Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs), Child Arrangement Orders (CAOs), and Residence Orders, and advocating for reforms that grant kinship carers clearer rights and status, comparable to foster carers.
- Financial Parity and Economic Resilience: Addressing the glaring disparities in financial support for kinship carers. Discussions will explore models for statutory kinship allowances, access to benefits, and practical financial planning advice to alleviate poverty and ensure children’s needs are met.
- Therapeutic and Emotional Support: Highlighting the profound emotional and psychological needs of children in kinship care, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, neglect, or abuse. The conference will explore best practices in therapeutic interventions, access to mental health services, and support for carers coping with complex behaviours.
- Educational Attainment and Support: Investigating how kinship children can be better supported within the education system, including access to pupil premium funding, tailored educational plans, and strategies to address educational disruption often experienced before entering kinship care.
- Local Authority Responsibilities and Best Practice: Examining the role of local authorities in identifying, assessing, and supporting kinship families, promoting consistent standards across different regions, and sharing examples of effective local initiatives.
- Carer Well-being and Support Networks: Recognising the immense dedication and often isolated circumstances of kinship carers, the conference will feature sessions on peer support, respite care, and strategies to safeguard carers’ own physical and mental health.
The primary objective of the 2026 conference is to foster a collaborative environment where diverse stakeholders can share insights, debate challenges, and collectively forge a path towards more comprehensive and equitable support systems. It aims to generate actionable recommendations that can influence policy at both national and local levels, ensuring that the needs of kinship families are not only recognised but met with concrete and sustainable solutions.
A Detailed Look at the Anticipated 2026 Agenda
While the full agenda for the 2026 conference is yet to be formally released, based on CoramBAAF’s history and the current landscape of kinship care advocacy, several key components are highly anticipated. The event is expected to span multiple days, featuring a blend of plenary sessions, parallel workshops, and networking opportunities.
Keynote Addresses: These will likely feature high-profile speakers, including a government minister responsible for children’s services, a leading academic expert on family law or child development, and crucially, a prominent kinship carer sharing their lived experience. These addresses set the tone, highlighting the urgency and human impact of the discussions.
Panel Discussions: Expert panels will delve into specific policy challenges, such as "Navigating the Legal Maze: Simplifying Paths to Permanent Kinship Care" or "Economic Resilience for Kinship Households: Towards Statutory Allowances." These panels will bring together legal professionals, social workers, charity representatives, and policymakers to debate solutions.
Workshops and Masterclasses: Practical, interactive sessions are expected to cover topics like "Applying for Special Guardianship Orders: A Step-by-Step Guide," "Therapeutic Parenting for Children with Trauma," "Accessing Educational Support and Funding," and "Building Peer Support Networks for Kinship Carers." These workshops are invaluable for practitioners and carers seeking direct, applicable knowledge.
Research Showcases: The conference will likely include presentations of new research findings, offering data-driven insights into the efficacy of different support models and the evolving needs of kinship families. This evidence base is critical for informing policy and practice.
Exhibition and Networking: An exhibition hall will provide opportunities for attendees to engage with various support organisations, legal firms, and local authority services. Dedicated networking events will facilitate peer learning and collaboration among professionals and carers alike.
Chronology of Policy and Advocacy for Kinship Care
The journey towards recognising and supporting kinship care in the UK has been gradual, marked by intermittent policy shifts and sustained advocacy.
- 1989 Children Act: This landmark legislation introduced a framework for children’s welfare, but largely focused on fostering and adoption, with kinship care often falling into less formal arrangements.
- Early 2000s: Increased awareness of kinship care begins to emerge, partly driven by a rise in grandparents raising grandchildren due to parental substance misuse or imprisonment.
- 2010 Family and Friends Care Review: Commissioned by the government, this review highlighted the significant contribution of kinship carers and made recommendations for improved support, though many were not fully implemented.
- 2011 Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs): Introduced as a legal order to provide permanent, stable care for children by relatives or friends without fully severing ties with birth parents, SGOs became a primary route for formalising kinship care. However, concerns quickly arose about the lack of consistent support post-order.
- 2016 Private Fostering Review: Further highlighted the often-unseen nature of kinship care arrangements, particularly those that fall under private fostering regulations.
- 2020-2022: The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the vulnerabilities of kinship families, leading to renewed calls for government action. Advocacy groups like Kinship launched significant campaigns for a National Kinship Care Strategy.
- 2022 Independent Review of Children’s Social Care (MacAlister Review): This comprehensive review strongly recommended a greater focus on kinship care, proposing a new legal definition of kinship care and a dedicated national strategy, including a financial allowance for kinship carers.
- 2023 UK Government’s Children’s Social Care Implementation Strategy: While acknowledging the importance of kinship care, the government’s response to the MacAlister Review was criticised by many for not going far enough, particularly regarding a universal financial allowance.
- CoramBAAF Annual Kinship Conferences (Ongoing): Throughout this timeline, CoramBAAF has consistently provided a platform for professionals and carers, adapting its conference themes to reflect evolving policy and pressing needs. The 2026 conference represents a critical moment to maintain momentum and pressure for comprehensive reform following these reviews and strategies.
Voices from the Sector: Anticipated Reactions and Statements
The 2026 CoramBAAF conference is expected to elicit strong reactions and statements from various stakeholders, reflecting the ongoing debate and urgent need for reform.
A CoramBAAF spokesperson might be anticipated to state: "The 2026 Kinship Conference arrives at a crucial juncture for kinship families in the UK. While progress has been made in acknowledging their vital role, systemic inequalities persist. Our aim is to not only highlight these disparities but to foster a collaborative environment where actionable solutions can be identified and championed. We believe that every child deserves stability and support, and kinship carers are often the unsung heroes providing just that. This conference will be a catalyst for ensuring they receive the recognition and resources they so desperately need and deserve."
A government official from the Department for Education or Ministry of Justice might offer a statement emphasising the government’s commitment: "We recognise the invaluable contribution of kinship carers in providing loving, stable homes for children who cannot live with their parents. The government remains committed to exploring how best to support these families and will carefully consider the insights and recommendations emerging from the CoramBAAF conference. We are actively working on strengthening our children’s social care system, and kinship care is a fundamental part of that vision, ensuring children’s well-being and maintaining family connections wherever possible."
A representative from a leading kinship care charity (e.g., Kinship or Family Rights Group) would likely reiterate the need for concrete policy changes: "While conferences like CoramBAAF’s are essential for dialogue, what kinship carers truly need are tangible changes: a statutory kinship allowance, clearer legal aid, and universal access to support services. Our families are facing a cost-of-living crisis alongside the immense responsibility of raising children, often with no prior planning. The 2026 conference must not just be a talking shop; it must be a launchpad for the government to finally implement the comprehensive National Kinship Care Strategy that children and carers so urgently deserve."
Finally, the voice of a kinship carer, perhaps featured as a speaker, would powerfully underscore the human element: "Every day, kinship carers step up, often with no warning and no support, to give a child a home. We do it out of love, but love alone doesn’t pay the bills or navigate complex legal battles. We hope this conference translates into real changes that mean fewer kinship families fall through the cracks, and more children get the stable start they need without their carers having to fight for every single bit of help."
The Broader Implications for Children and Families
The outcomes of the CoramBAAF 2026 Kinship Conference hold significant implications for the welfare of children and the stability of families across the UK. A successful conference, leading to robust policy recommendations and enhanced professional practice, could fundamentally reshape the landscape of kinship care.
For Children: Improved support for kinship carers directly translates into better outcomes for children. Financial stability, access to therapeutic services, and consistent educational support can mitigate the adverse effects of early trauma and instability, fostering greater resilience, improved mental health, and enhanced educational attainment. Children in kinship care typically experience fewer placement moves and maintain closer ties to their extended families, which are crucial for their sense of identity and belonging.
For Kinship Carers: Better support would alleviate the immense pressure on carers, reducing financial hardship, emotional stress, and feelings of isolation. Clearer legal pathways and greater recognition would empower them, ensuring they are seen as legitimate and valued caregivers rather than an informal stopgap. This, in turn, could encourage more relatives to step forward when needed, preventing children from entering the wider care system.
For Local Authorities and the Care System: A more robust kinship care system offers a more sustainable and often more cost-effective alternative to traditional foster care or residential placements. By investing in kinship care, local authorities can provide more stable and appropriate placements for children, potentially reducing the strain on overstretched resources. The conference will likely highlight best practices for local authorities, promoting consistency and equity in support across different regions.
For National Policy: The conference’s recommendations will undoubtedly feed into ongoing national policy debates and reviews. Strong, evidence-based calls for a statutory kinship allowance, a national kinship care strategy, and reforms to legal aid could build unstoppable momentum for legislative change. The cumulative effect of such advocacy could lead to a fundamental shift in how kinship care is perceived and supported at the highest levels of government.
Looking Ahead: Towards a More Robust Framework
The CoramBAAF Annual Kinship Conference 2026 is more than just a gathering; it is a critical opportunity to advance the cause of kinship families in the UK. By bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering a spirit of collaboration, it aims to catalyse meaningful change that will impact thousands of children and their dedicated carers. The focus on "Delivering better support" is a testament to the urgency of the situation and a commitment to moving beyond dialogue to tangible outcomes.
The journey towards a fully equitable and supportive kinship care system is ongoing. It requires sustained advocacy, continuous research, and the unwavering commitment of policymakers, practitioners, and the public. The 2026 conference serves as a vital checkpoint in this journey, reminding all stakeholders of their collective responsibility to ensure that kinship families are not just acknowledged, but truly empowered to provide the loving, stable homes that every child deserves. The discussions, debates, and proposed solutions emerging from this event will be instrumental in shaping the future of child welfare in the United Kingdom, paving the way for a more just and supportive framework for kinship care.
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