Kinship Care Co-Chair

Introduction

We believe that children and young people are best placed with family and friends where it is in the child’s best interests and safe to do so, and that these families should receive support and help to do this. The Kinship Care Alliance (KCA) is a network of organisations and experts by experience who seek to:

▪ Prevent children from being unnecessarily raised outside of their family network

▪ Ensure that the opportunities and resources available to children living with kinship carers maximise their chances of positive outcomes

▪ Secure improved recognition and support for kinship carers and the children they are raising.

The Kinship Care Alliance membership has been meeting regularly since 2006 to develop a joint policy agenda and agree strategies to:

▪ Raise awareness of the advantages, strengths and opportunity that kinship care provides to children, and

▪ Influence policy, service delivery, professional practice and legislation in respect of kinship care.

Co-Chair key responsibilities

The co-chairs of the Kinship Care Alliance play a vital role in providing leadership to the Alliance, ensuring we fulfil our mission and operate effectively and efficiently. The co-chairs also act as ambassadors for the Kinship Care Alliance, representing its values and objectives.

A time commitment of approximately one day a month is required to:

▪ Co-chair quarterly Kinship Care Alliance meetings effectively

▪ Work closely with the Kinship Care Alliance executive committee and subgroups to lead on the development of the Alliance’s future work plans.

▪ Shape the future direction of the KCA in order to deliver on our mission to influence kinship care reforms

▪ Liaise with the other co-chair to set the agendas for Kinship Care Alliance meetings and executive committee meetings

▪ Attend subgroup and working group meetings, as appropriate

▪ Oversee the implementation of Kinship Care Alliance policies, including remuneration for experts by experience who advise and support the KCA.

▪ Occasionally attend social events and meetings with key stakeholders as a representative of the KCA.

Key skills

▪ Passionate about the KCA’s mission and a proven commitment to the Alliance’s values.

▪ Proven leadership experience, preferably in a governance or charity setting.

▪ Integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to transparency.

▪ In-depth knowledge of the challenges faced by kinship care families.

▪ Awareness of relevant policies, legal framework, support services and practice that impact kinship families.

▪ Empathy and sensitivity towards the lived experiences of kinship carers and children.

▪ Confidence in advocating for kinship carers at local, regional, and national levels.

▪ Strong networking skills to build partnerships with funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

▪ Insight into the diverse backgrounds of kinship families.

▪ Ability to influence decision-makers and shape policies affecting kinship families.

▪ Commitment to tackling racial and ethnic disparities faced by kinship families.

▪ Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.