Kinship care East Lothian

East Lothian’s Kinship Support Service

We offer kinship carers living in East Lothian:

• a rolling training programme for kinship carers 
• advice and information
• a dedicated email for enquiries for both kinship carers and professionals - kinshipcare@eastlothian.gov.uk
• support through a working partnership with Children 1st
• sign-posting to the National Kinship Care Advice Service
• support through a working partnership with Foundations for families

Dowload the Children 1st East Lothian leaflet

We will also provide financial assistance where you and the child are eligible. Currently, we assess eligibility based on the following two categories:

• all formally approved kinship carers where the child has a ‘looked after’ status, based on the Children (Scotland) Act 1995
• informal kinship carers can also be eligible. For example, when the child is not currently a ‘looked after’ child but is subject to a section 11 Order under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and was 'looked after’ at some point.

Each local authority assesses eligibility and sets their own allowance rates. These are calculated based on the level of fostering allowances in their area. The rates below do not include the child benefit deduction or the child element of Universal Credit.  Child benefit is deducted from the weekly rate stated when kinship carers are eligible to claim it. We also deduct the child element of Universal Credit.

Allowance rates 

East Lothian Council's 2024/25 rates:

Additional financial support

There are a number of options if you need additional financial support:

• You may be able to apply for help with school clothing and free school meals if you meet the criteria for support. This can be done by contacting the child’s school or by completing an online application form. You may also be able to apply for the Best Start Grant, which consists of three payments and Best Start Food
• The Scottish Child Payment may also help towards the costs of supporting your family. This is a weekly payment of £25 that you can get for every child you look after under six years of age
• Additional support is also available within East Lothian through our Welfare Rights team who are on hand to help you find out about the support that you need. This includes free period products, food support and access to the Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grant
• Third sector charities also offer assistance. These may require a professional to refer you. You can contact the Children 1st Kinship Support Service to talk about what support you need. They will provide information on what is available and help you with your application
• Finally, you can get more information and advice from the Citizens Advice Service, as well as from the Child Poverty Action Group