Looking after someone else's child: Kinship carers

You're known as a kinship carer (or connected carer) if: 

• you're looking after a child who can't be cared for by their birth parents, and
• you're a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, family friend, or connected to the child in another way

This often happens because a child is separated from their parents, or their parents can't provide the care and support the child needs.