Croydon Council is marking Kinship Care Week (5–11 October 2026) by celebrating their carers across the borough who are giving children and young people a loving, stable home when they cannot live with their parents.

Kinship care is when a child is raised by a relative or family friend, often a grandparent, aunt, uncle or older sibling, rather than by their birth parents.

In Croydon, over 400 kinship carers look after family members’ children and young people as foster carers, special guardians or in private fostering arrangements, providing them with the safety, continuity and sense of belonging that comes from staying within their own family network.

Kinship care can bring huge benefits for children, helping them to stay connected to their family, friends, school and community during what can be a difficult and uncertain time.

To mark national Kinship Care Week, Croydon’s fostering service is holding an appreciation event on Tuesday 6 October at Braithwaite Hall at 11:30. Anyone who is caring for a child or young person who is a family member is welcome to attend. The event recognises kinship carers for their contribution and give them the chance to connect with the Council’s fostering team and fellow carers.

Gabby became a kinship carer in Croydon for her niece, who went into foster care as a baby. She said: “I couldn’t bear the thought of her being adopted. She’s my niece, and I thought, ‘No, I’ll take her on’. There was no way the birth parents could care for her – it was either me or adoption, so I stepped in.

“No one prepares you for the life changes and challenges, especially financially. I had to give up full-time work to care for her. Your whole life gets turned upside down, and it’s important to understand that you’ll go through a grieving process for your old life. That’s normal. It doesn’t mean you regret your decision or love the child any less.”

“Kinship carers make an extraordinary contribution to the lives of children and young people across Croydon, helping to ensure they can remain within their family networks and maintain the relationships and connections that are so important to their wellbeing, identity and sense of belonging.

“It is a great privilege to recognise and celebrate our kinship carers at this special event. Taking on the responsibility of caring for a child within their family requires immense dedication, love and resilience, often during challenging and uncertain times.

I would like to thank every kinship carer for the difference they make each day, helping children to remain connected to their families and communities and giving them the stability and care they need to thrive.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Croydon Council supports kinship carers with information, advice and access to services. Anyone caring for a family member’s child, or considering doing so, can contact the fostering team to find out what support is available. For more information see the Council website.