When a child cannot safely live with their birth parents, the first option is usually to place them with someone they already know and trust, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, family friend or other person connected to the child's life. This is called kinship care.
Kinship care is the most common form of out-of-home care in NSW, and for good reason. Staying connected to family and community reduces trauma, supports a child's sense of identity and often leads to better long-term outcomes than placement with a stranger. However, kinship carers, who often take on this role suddenly and without much preparation, frequently tell us they didn't know what they were signing up for, or what support they were entitled to.
This guide explains how kinship care works in NSW, what kinship carers need to know, and where to get help.
What is the difference between kinship care and foster care?
Both kinship care and foster care are forms of out-of-home care, meaning the child is cared for by someone other than their birth parents, usually under the oversight of the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) or an accredited agency like Wesley Mission.
The key difference is the relationship. Kinship carers are people who already have a connection to the child. Foster carers are assessed and approved strangers who open their homes to children they haven't previously met.
In NSW, kinship care can be either:
- Informal kinship care: A private arrangement between family members, without formal involvement from DCJ or an agency. There is no authorisation process and carers do not receive government support payments.
- Authorised (formal) kinship care: An arrangement overseen by DCJ or an accredited agency. Carers go through an assessment process, receive ongoing support and are eligible for a carer allowance.
Most kinship carers involved with the child protection system are in formal arrangements, which is the focus of this guide.
Who can be a kinship carer in NSW?
Anyone with an existing relationship to a child can potentially become a kinship carer, including:
- Grandparents
- Aunts and uncles
- Older siblings (over 21)
- Cousins
- Family friends with a close, established relationship to the child
- Neighbours or community members known to the family
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, kinship care is particularly important. Wesley Mission actively works to place Aboriginal children with carers who are connected to their community, culture and language.
How does kinship care come about?
Kinship care arrangements usually begin in one of two ways.
The first is through the child protection system. When DCJ assesses that a child is at risk and cannot safely stay with their parents, they look for suitable family members or known people before considering placement with a foster carer. If you're identified as a potential kinship carer, DCJ or an accredited agency will contact you.
The second is self-referral. If you're already informally caring for a child connected to your family and the arrangement is likely to continue, you can approach DCJ or an agency yourself to formalise the arrangement and access support.
What does the assessment process involve?
Becoming an authorised kinship carer in NSW involves an assessment process, though it is generally less intensive than the process for general foster carers. You can expect:
- Background checks: A Working With Children Check and National Police Check for all adults in the household.
- Home assessment: A visit to assess the suitability of your home and the support you can provide.
- Training: Some training on supporting children who have experienced trauma, though the content and intensity varies by agency.
- Interviews: Conversations about your relationship with the child, your household and your capacity to provide ongoing care.
The focus is on the child's existing relationship with you and your capacity to provide stability, not on finding a perfect carer, but on finding the right one for this particular child.
What financial support do kinship carers receive?
Authorised kinship carers in NSW receive a carer allowance to help cover the costs of caring for a child, food, clothing, transport, activities and other day-to-day expenses. The amount varies depending on the age of the child and the level of care required.
Kinship carers may also be eligible for:
- Educational assistance for the children in their care
- Therapeutic and specialist support services
- Respite care to support carer wellbeing
- Access to the same training and peer support networks as foster carers
It's worth noting that informal kinship carers, those caring for a child without DCJ involvement, are generally not eligible for these supports. If you're in this situation, speaking with Wesley Mission is a good first step to understanding your options.
What are the challenges of kinship care?
Kinship care can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with unique challenges that general foster care doesn't always involve.
- Family dynamics: Caring for a relative's child can be complicated by existing family relationships, loyalties and tensions.
- Contact with birth parents: Ongoing contact with the child's parents is common in kinship arrangements and can be emotionally complex.
- Financial pressure: Kinship carers, particularly grandparents, often take on caring responsibilities unexpectedly and may not be financially prepared.
- Emotional complexity: Caring for a child who is also a family member, while navigating the grief and trauma that led to the placement, can be emotionally exhausting.
This is why support is so important. Wesley Mission provides kinship carers with the same level of case management, training, peer networks and specialist referrals as general foster carers. You are not expected to manage alone.
Can kinship care become permanent?
Yes. In some cases, when reunification with birth parents is not possible, a kinship placement can become permanent. This may involve legal orders made through the Children's Court in NSW, the carer being appointed as the child's legal guardian, or in some cases pursuing adoption. The pathway varies depending on the child's circumstances and the wishes of the family. In some situations, carers can apply for parental responsibility after two years of continuous care.
If you're in a kinship placement that has been ongoing for some time and you're wondering about the longer-term options, speak with your case manager or contact Wesley Foster Care for guidance. Some children remain with kinship carers until they turn 18.
How Wesley Mission supports kinship carers
Wesley Mission has been supporting kinship carers across NSW for decades. When you care for a child through Wesley Mission, you receive:
- A dedicated case manager who visits monthly and is available in a crisis
- 24/7 phone support, help is always available
- Peer connection with other kinship and foster carers
- Access to therapeutic specialists, medical referrals and educational support
- Regular training tailored to the specific challenges of kinship care
- A financial carer allowance and access to respite
If you're unexpectedly caring for a child in your family and don't know where to start, the most important thing you can do is reach out. Wesley Mission offers a free, no-obligation conversation to help you understand your options and what support is available.
Caring for a child in your family? We can help. Whether you're already in a kinship arrangement or just starting to consider it, Wesley Mission's team will walk you through everything, with no pressure and no commitment.
Call 1300 325 627 or find more information here.
