Kinship Foster Carers Group was formed around 2008 and has grown steadily since then.  The team currently consists of Shelly James, Sandy Chamberlain, Karen Steele, Laura Warner, Paula Pawley-Smith, Charlie James and Vicki O'Leary.  Shelly, Sandy and Karen run the Facebook support groups whilst the rest of the team help with raising awareness ideas, maintaining the website and being a never ending source of information and support to our members; as well as to each other.

Here's a bit of background information about the team (updated May 2013).

Karen, mum of 2 girls, is married to Dave and they have a Residence Order for their nephew who's been with them since 2005 when he was 4 years old. Their Kinship situation is due to the sudden and unexpected bereavement of Dave's sister after a routine bowel operation. Karen has a secretarial background and has worked in the Criminal Justice System since 1996.  As a result of this, she has experience in Criminal Justice and Child Protection as well as Children/Young Person's Bereavement.  She has been involved with Kinship Foster Carers since finding the group in 2008 after many months of searching the internet for others in a similar situation. The group was initially set up by a lady called Tracey and when Karen joined, there were around 14 members. She became good friends with Tracey, Shelly and Sandy and Tracey eventually handed the running of the group to Shelly with the help of Sandy and Karen. Kinship Foster Carers now has in the region of 300 members and their family is growing weekly. The group is now run by a team of Kinship Carers who have become good, solid friends throughout their journeys.

Paula is a single mum of 5. Paula was made aware her cousin's 4 children had been removed into care due to neglect and substance abuse and whilst enquiring into their well-being she dicovered another baby had been born. Paula along with her then partner, requested to be assessed as a Special Guardian immediately. They were told that Jake had suffered a stroke at birth and went into withdrawal but was now "fine". After three months, when Jake was 7 months he was placed into their care, firstly as a foster care placement and later on a Special Guardianship Order. It was quickly clear to Paula   that Jake was having problems with his development and balance and after a lot of investigations Jake was diagnosed with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Cerebral Palsy. Paula has gained knowledge of FASD by attending the support group (NOFAS) in London on several occasions. Paula is trained in Counselling Skills and Theory to Level 3 and also trained and worked as a Samaritan for two years. She has been involved with Kinship Care since 2009 and has supported carers through a local support group in Canterbury and as an advocate to carers, attending court and CP and CHiN meetings when needed.  Paula works for a Supported Living Home; Keyworking 16plus young adults, supporting them to live independent lives after leaving the care system through education and training.

 Charlie and Shelly have been married for 25 years. They have Special Guardianship of their two grandchildren; Anthony aged 7 and Hailey aged 4. They have looked after Anthony since he was 15 months old, and Hailey from birth. Charlie's many years selling office supplies has provided them with many contacts who have assisted raising awareness of Kinship Care by providing free business cards, promotional items at reduced rates and a solicitor who has spent many hours providing free legal advice. Shelly, having previously worked in residential care home settings organising events for the residents, took over the running of the Kinship Foster Carers Groups in 2009 and has played a key part in seeing these grow. Her best achievement so far has to be the organisation of Kinfest; an annual holiday for Kinship Carers and their children. This has inspired Mini-Kinfests as smaller meet-ups. These offer invaluable opportunities for Kinship Carers to meet others and most importantly, give the children an opportunity to meet other kids who do not live with their parents. Those who know Charlie and Shelly know that they don't take themselves seriously however they are both very serious, and dedicated, when it comes to Kinship issues. Charlie moved into the Kinship cause during December 2010 and joined the Kinship “Foster” Carers Groups at the end of May 2011. He plays a key role as taxi driver (for Shelly and the kids) for meet ups with other Kinship Carers and he is chief tea maker at Kinfest.

Laura has been married to Lance for 18 years; they have 3 daughters and are raising 2 of their grandchildren, secured on a Residence Order (private arrangement) and Special Guardianship Order (supported by her Local Authority). Whilst her own children were young, Laura spent several years caring for her disabled mother and then entered into a career in Estate Agency.  Unfortunately due to her daughter's experiences with drugs, alcohol and Domestic Violence it became necessary to take on her grandchildren, but Laura is very pleased that her daughter has been supportive in this and it has enabled her daughter to turn her life around.  Due to a heart attack just before the birth of her grandson, and subsequently having him placed with her, Laura now works part time whilst juggling contact, housework, the needs of her grandchildren along with that of her own two teenage girls.  Like most, she hadn't heard the term "kinship carer" until she became one and with the help of the Family Rights Group she represented herself in court for a Residence Order and also in the beginning of the Special Guardianship process.  She met with Karen and Sandy in 2009 and became part of the Kinship Foster Carers Group.  In that time she has met, helped and generally been there to support kinship carers locally and nationally within the group. She has supported and played an active role with organisations researching Kinship Care along with campaigning for better rights for carers and raising awareness.  Laura and Karen together, have launched our website and continue to update it with as much useful information as possible.

Vicki has been with Paul for over 20 years.  They run their own taxi company; mainly dealing with special needs transport and blue chip companies as well as Local Authorities.  Between them, they have 5 children that are now all adults.  Their kinship journey began when their granddaughter was a few months old, as a result of domestic violence and mental health issues.  They have had a Residence Order since October 2010.  Vicki was lucky to be found by Laura as they had a mutual friend; before this, Vicki had not met any other Kinship Carers.  "The support of the other admins and members is what got me through being dragged back through the Court system" says Vicki.  As an adopted child herself, her parents were fantastic.  "I had always known the truth about my adoption and have been very lucky.  Even though I have a very positive experience of adoption, it doesn't ever stop the feeling of abandonment so I didn't ever want my children or grandchildren to be in this position.  I actively support Kinship Care and truly believe it should be a household name such as foster and adoption.  It does change your whole life although it is not for everyone or every child".