In England and Wales, people who have stepped in to keep young family members from going into care say the decision has brought them joy and hardship. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.

What kinship care means

Kinship care is the practice of taking in a child whose parents cannot care for them, with relatives such as grandparents, siblings or other close family members raising the child instead. The Guardian’s material tells the experience of people in England and Wales who have taken that step.

The article shows three kinship carers — Clive, Leasa and Alan — pictured with Savannah, Luke and Ella. These people changed their lives to prevent young relatives from entering the state care system.

‘You have 10 minutes to decide’

The phrase “You have 10 minutes to decide” in the headline refers to the short window a person faces when the call about becoming a kinship carer comes. After such a call, a person is forced to make a decision that fundamentally changes their life.

According to the article, those who have stepped in say the decision has brought them joy and hardship. That means kinship care is, on one hand, a chance to help a close person, and on the other, it brings financial, emotional and everyday pressures.

The situation in England and Wales

The material concerns England and Wales. In these countries, relatives taking children into their own care to prevent them from going into state care is described as a situation that occurs often. The Guardian presents personal stories of people on this subject.

As the article notes, people who have made the decision to become kinship carers describe it as a “life-changing” step. According to them, the decision brings both joy and hardship.

Key points

  • 01Kinship care is taking a child into the care of relatives so they do not go into state care.
  • 02The material focuses on the situation in England and Wales.
  • 03The kinship carers Clive, Leasa and Alan are shown with Savannah, Luke and Ella.
  • 04The time to make the decision is described as very short — “10 minutes”.
  • 05The step is described as bringing both joy and hardship.

The details above come from The Guardian’s material. Further information about the story is available in the full version of the publication.