Rethinking international kinship care: a call for reform in judicial practice

Carolyn Housman CEO Children and Families Across Borders

This article explores the need for reform in how children in care within England and Wales are placed with family overseas. Despite kinship care gaining prominence domestically children placed with family overseas remain marginalised due to legal procedural and cultural barriers. Drawing on CFAB’s 70 years of practice the article argues that ‘international kinship care’ should be recognised as a distinct form of permanence. It highlights systemic biases failures in multicultural practice and the limitations of domestic legal orders.  Examination of recent judgements reveal how delays and unconscious bias often prevent viable overseas placements depriving children of cultural identity and family connection. The article calls for a review of the legal framework improved assessment models and equitable post-placement support. It also recommends revising statutory guidance extending care proceedings timeframes and investing in cultural competence training. With the Law Commission reviewing kinship care and the launch of the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform the article urges policymakers and legal practitioners to prioritise reflect on how unconscious biases influence our approach to child-centred rights-based solutions.

Read the full article here.