Kinship care content is under review
Please be aware that this page is currently under review. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Newcastle Kinship Local Offer. Please bear with us while we make improvements.
Social Care Support
Children's Social Worker
Every child or young person living in foster care has their own social worker. The social worker monitors the child or young person's care and welfare. They will visit every 4-6 weeks. They will check the child is happy and settled. They will keep the child's care plan up to date. They will work with colleagues in education and health. They can make arrangements for family time too.
Children living under a formal kinship order, may have a children's social worker. This is sometimes needed when the child or young person has additional needs.
Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF)
The ASGSF is a central government fund. It supports children and young people who:
- are adopted, or
- live under a Special Guardianship Order, Child Arrangement Order, or Residence Order, and
- were in care before the order was granted.
It can also help if a special guardianship placement has broken down.
We can apply to this fund when a child needs specialist assessments and support. This must relate to early childhood trauma. We cannot use the fund for assessments or support for any other reason.
We can apply for funding for up to £3000. Assessments can cost no more than £2,500 and must include a support plan.
The support on offer may include:
- Art or creative therapy
- Play therapy
- Therapeutic life story work
- Psychotherapy
- Family therapy
Funding can also pay for carer training, such as:
- Non-Violent Resistance (NVR)
- Therapeutic parenting
- Crisis intervention training
In February 2026, the government said the fund will carry on until March 2028. Plans after this date are not yet known.
Independent Advocacy Service
Children in kinship foster care can get an advocate. Children open to social care can also get this support.
An advocate helps the child share their views in meetings. This is helpful when people have differing views.
The child or family social worker can arrange this service.
The advocate will meet the child and ask them what they want to say. They will help the child prepare for the meeting.
Next page: Education
Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on September 30th 2026
Printed on September 30th 2026
Page last updated