Issue - meetings

Kinship Zone Programme: Approval of Kinship Financial Allowance Pilot and wider Kinship Support Delivery

 

 

Meeting: 30/06/2026 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Kinship Zone Programme Update - Delivery of the DfE Kinship Pilot (April 2026 - March 2028) pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Background:

 

The report provided an update on Medway Council’s role as one of seven national Kinship Zone pilot areas participating in the Department for Education (DfE) Kinship Programme. The report outlined delivery progress to date, including implementation of the Kinship Allowance Pilot (KAP), Family Network Support Packages (FNSPs), and the wider kinship support offer across the period April 2026 to March 2028.

 

Medway had been selected as one of seven national pilot areas to deliver this programme, which represented a significant opportunity to strengthen family-led care, improve outcomes for children, reduce reliance on statutory care, and contribute to national reform and evidence development. The report set out the delivery model, governance, financial framework, and anticipated impact as the programme progressed. This was a significant opportunity to strengthen family-led care, improve outcomes for children, reduce reliance on statutory care, and contribute to national reform and evidence development.

 

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Decision

number: 

Decision:

 

The Cabinet noted Medway’s participation in the DfE Kinship Zone Programme (April 2026 – March 2028), as one of seven national Kinship Zone pilot areas.

The Cabinet noted the implementation of the Kinship Allowance Pilot (KAP) commencing 1 April 2026.

The Cabinet noted the delivery of Family Network Support Packages (FNSPs) and the wider kinship support.

The Cabinet noted the Kinship Pilot Programme Board governance, financial, and data arrangements in place to support delivery.

The Cabinet noted the expected outcomes and Medway’s contribution to national policy development and evaluation.

Reasons:

The report is for information only. It provides the Cabinet with an update on Medway Council’s role as one of seven national Kinship Zone pilot areas participating in the Department for Education (DfE) Kinship Programme.