Listening to Children about Kinship Care, Child Welfare and Permanence

For too long, kinship and other forms of childhood care have been determined without a clear focus on children’s views.

This book unveils unique research on the transformative power of listening to children, exploring how they navigate family life and relationships. It offers fresh insights for theories, policies and practices in support of children’s welfare.

Essential reading for academics, researchers, practitioners and families, this book champions a new critical realist "what matters" approach, reinvigorating kinship care and child permanence debates.

“This powerful book is a vital reminder of why the experiences of children in kinship care must be heard. Too often, the ‘voices’ of children living with family and friends are overlooked or underrepresented. This book seeks to change that. If we truly want to improve outcomes and understand children and young people in kinship care, we must listen ― actively, intentionally and with compassion. We must meet them where they are, build trust and never forget that the decisions we make can shape their lives in profound ways – positively!” Jahnine Davis, National Kinship Care Ambassador

“Kinship care has too often been seen as a simple solution to a complex problem. Paul has centred children’s voices and perspectives in what is a timely examination of kinship care. In this book, we’re offered a broader look at the social, political, policy and legal context that kinship care exists within, and asked to look closer and think harder. It questions popular narratives in terms of how and why we listen to children and helps the reader move beyond the easy questions and creates a space where we can hear children, their views and therefore develop a more nuanced and informed perspective on kinship.” Al Coates, social worker and co-host of the Adoption & Fostering podcast

“This well researched and thought-provoking book provides an overview of kinship care but also a critical account of its status in the changing landscape of child welfare provision, both in the UK and abroad. It also sets out a persuasive argument for listening to children and putting their voices at the forefront of policy and practice. Highly recommended for practitioners, carers and students alike.” Rick Hood, Professor of Social Work at Kingston University