I think I might be a Kinship Carer- how do I get an assessment?

If you think you may be entitled to financial support as a kinship carer, or want to explore this further, you can contact Health and Social Care Connect on 0141 287 0555 and ask for a Kinship Carer Eligibility Assessment. If you prefer, you can seek an assessment of eligibility through our online form.

If you are currently working with Children's Social Work Services, you should ask your worker to assess your family situation to see if you are eligible for financial support.

The Kinship Carer Eligibility Assessment will ascertain whether you meet the formal legal requirements to be eligible for kinship allowances. Health and Social Care Connect will pass your enquiry to the local kinship team, who will make contact with you to gather information on your circumstances, and the circumstances of the child or young person in your care. They will assess whether you fit the criteria highlighted on the website, namely whether you are:

• a formal kinship carer where the child has a looked after status
• or an informal kinship carer, where the child is not a looked after child but is subject to a Section 11 Order (also known as a Kinship Care Order), and is or was
  • previously looked after
  • placed with involvement from the local authority; or
  • at risk of becoming looked after (whether your child is at risk of becoming looked after will be determined through multi agency assessment adopting GIRFEC Wellbeing Indicators)

If you need more information / advice

• in relation to your entitlements as a kinship carer  
• information and advice about holding or applying for a kinship care order
• or you are a young person who is or was the subject of a kinship care order and you need information/advice
• or if you would like to have an informal discussion about kinship supports

You can also contact your local kinship team leader on:

• North East Glasgow: Jim Quinn on 0141 565 0140

• North West Glasgow: Lorna Kelly on 0141 276 3112

• South Glasgow: Gillian Coyle on 0141 276 8840

We will make every effort to respond to your query within a reasonable timescale.