Protect Kinship carers from Welfare cuts

200,000 grandparents and other family members are raising children who cannot live with their parents. Many of these children have suffered neglect or abuse, or their parents have died. They would be in care if grandparents or other family members had not stepped in.

Grandparents Plus is concerned that the Welfare Reform Act will have unintended consequences and penalise these carers. Most of these families are already struggling on low incomes, and three in 10 carers give up work when the children move in. A further three in 10 reduce their working hours, often at the direction of social services.

The consequences of penalising these carers for stepping in and raising a vulnerable child will be that fewer are able to step in to care in the future and that many existing caring arrangements will break down.

If 10% of the children in family and friends care were to enter the care system it would cost the taxpayer £1 billion every year.

This is not in the best interests of the children, the family or the taxpayer.

Please email your MP urging them to support these families and stop them from being penalised for stepping in and raising a vulnerable child.

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