Grandparents Legal Centre

27/02/2026

We, in the specialist Public Team at Ridley and Hall Solicitors are pleased to see this new government scheme to provide financial support to Kinship Carers being rolled out across the country.

Whilst the scheme will only run in seven areas across the country for the first three and a half years, we hope that this signifies the beginning of nationwide change.

For too long Kinship Carers have struggled to obtain the financial support that they desperately need to enable them to care for the children of extended family members.

If you, or someone you know, is a Kinship Carer struggling to receive financial or practical support from the Local Authority for a child in your care, please contact one of our specialist Kinship Care solicitors in the Public Team at Ridley and Hall on 01484 538421.

Kinship carers, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends who step in to provide care for children, will now be paid under a new government scheme.

Several councils already pay kinship carers, but the Department for Education has announced that it will launch the largest investment in support for such carers nationally.

https://www.itv.com/news/2026-02-27/kinship-carers-in-england-to-receive-financial-support-under-milestone-scheme

14/05/2025

Fostering allowances – are you claiming everything you are entitled to?

Are you a Kinship Foster Carer for a relative child?

Are you caring for them under a Care Order after being approved at Panel?

Are you receiving all the allowances that you may be entitled to?

Helen Moody is a specialist kinship care solicitor in the public law department. She acts on behalf of kinship carers, ensuring that they are treated fairly. She has a particular interest in kinship fostering allowances and the misconception that if you are a relative carer for a child, you are not entitled to receive the same allowances as a mainstream foster carer.

“I was recently contacted on behalf of an aunt who, after only receiving the basic fostering allowance for her nephew, contacted me about additional allowances. I wrote to Bolton Council asking them to confirm what additional allowances were paid for children with complex needs and argued that my client should have been receiving an enhancement for her nephew”.

It transpired that the aunt should have been receiving an additional allowance of £225 per week per child. The Council agreed that they had made an error and that a back dated payment was due to the aunt of almost £130,000.

“This is not the first and will not be the last Local Authority to tell kinship carers that the additional allowance structure does not apply to them”, Mrs Moody commented.

A case involving Tower Hamlets in 2013 set a precedent in law that kinship carers should not be discriminated against on the grounds of a pre-existing relationship with a child. All Local Authorities should adhere to this however, many often do not. If you would like some further information about what you might be entitled to, please do not hesitate to contact Helen Moody on 0800 860 62 65.

06/10/2023

As 2023 comes to a close, The Grandparents Legal Centre joins in honouring the often overlooked heroes – Kinship Carers. Even though they face many difficulties, there's a strong agreement that seeing these children thrive and succeed is the most rewarding part of their role.
We talked to Kinship Carers from different parts of the country and asked them, "What do you love most about being a Kinship Carer?" Here's what they told us.

We reached out to Kinship Carers from various corners of the country, asking them: "What is the best thing about being a Kinship Carer?" Here's what they shared.

04/10/2023

In a recent case, our Kinship Care solicitor, Helen Moody, achieved a significant victory. She successfully advocated for family placement over adoption despite initial opposition from Middlesbrough Council. Here’s a closer look at the case.

In a recent case, our Kinship Care solicitor, Helen Moody, achieved a significant victory. She successfully advocated for family placement over adoption despite initial opposition from Middlesbrough Council. Here's a closer look at the case: In 2017, I acted on behalf of a lady who had been appro

03/10/2023

Facing a negative assessment from the Local Authority regarding your ability to care for a relative child? In this video, Chloe Flynn and Helen Moody offer v...

03/10/2023

This Kinship Care Week 2023 (Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th October) we’re celebrating the amazing role that kinship carers across England and Wales play in children’s lives and our society.

16/08/2023

🎉 Exciting News! 🏆 Our Senior Partner, Nigel Priestley, has been nominated in the Law Gazette for the prestigious Law Society Legal Heroes Award! 🌟👨‍⚖️
At 70 years young, Nigel is a true inspiration and a dedicated practising solicitor. 📚 His remarkable career has been focused on providing unwavering support to children, parents, and grandparents involved in adoption breakdown and kinship care arrangements. 👪💙
Nigel's impact knows no bounds – his work has spanned across continents, taking him to places like Africa and Canada, where he passionately represents clients in need. 🌍🌎

Read the full nomination here: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/features/looking-up-to-your-stars/5115295.article

26/05/2023

Helen Moody, Kinship Care Solicitor at Ridley & Hall answers questions about fostering allowances.

22/05/2023

Did you know that as an approved kinship foster carer with a Local Authority, you are entitled to the same allowances as a mainstream foster carer? Did you know that lots of Local Authorities refuse to pay these allowances on the basis that a kinship carer has a prior connection to the child/ren?

Did you know that as an approved kinship foster carer with a Local Authority, you are entitled to the same allowances as a mainstream foster carer? Did you know that lots of Local Authorities refuse to pay these allowances on the basis that a kinship carer has a prior connection to the child/ren?

17/05/2023

Kinship care solicitor Helen Moody talks about one of her success stories where she obtained a 6 figure backdated sum in respect of fostering payments.

Helen Moody, talks about one of her success stories where she obtained a 6 figure backdated sum in respect of fostering payments.

15/05/2023

Foster Care Fortnight™ is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives. Foster Care Fortnight 2023 will take place from 15-28 May.  Foster Care Fortnight™ is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, deliver...