Support with family time

Family Time (sometimes called contact) is an important part of helping children in kinship care maintain positive relationships with their birth parents and other family members. It can be informal or court-directed, and arrangements vary depending on the child’s legal status.

What does Family Time look like?

Family Time can take place in a variety of settings from contact centres to community spaces and may be supervised by a social worker, a member of the Family Time team, or the kinship carer themselves. If contact is court-directed and requires supervision, Stoke-on-Trent City Council will support you to make safe and appropriate arrangements.

Who manages contact?

Formal supervised contact is managed by the local authority. In Stoke-on-Trent, the Family Time team oversees these arrangements. Depending on the child’s legal status, supervision may be provided by a professional or by the carer. If you live outside Stoke-on-Trent, arrangements may differ. Speak to your social worker for local guidance.

Transport to and from Family Time
Kinship carers are usually expected to help with transport to and from Family Time. This helps children feel safe and supported by someone they know. The Family Time service does not have the capacity to provide transport in most cases. If carers are unable to transport the child, this may mean different people are involved, which can be unsettling for the child. Please speak to your social worker if you have concerns about transport.

Challenges and support

We understand that contact can bring emotional, logistical, and safeguarding challenges. Kinship carers are not alone and support is available to help you navigate these situations. You can speak to your supervising social worker or contact the Family Time team for advice and guidance. We are also exploring training sessions to help carers feel confident in managing contact. If you’d be interested in attending, please let us know.

Need help?

For support with Family Time arrangements, please contact your social worker or reach out to the Family Time team at [email to be added].