The aim of this study is to provide a framework to guide the implementation of statutory kinship services by the Benevolent Society.

The countries included in the study are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and United States of America. 

In the first stage of the study the key focus of the study was on consultations with stakeholders and reviewing the literature on models and tools exemplifying ‘good’, ‘best’ or ‘promising’ practice in kinship care. Given the lack of evidence base around many of the models and tools discussed in this report the advantages and disadvantages of most models and tools, at this stage, is judged to be speculative. The emphasis in the report therefore is on promising practices and key messages from the field. 

The second stage of the study involved four focus groups with kinship carers. The aim of the groups was to obtain the perspectives of kinship carers in relation to a number of specific aspects of kinship care. The main aspects of kinship care reviewed in the literature, and considered by stakeholders and carers in the focus groups, included: 

• family group conferencing;
• carer assessment; 
• carer training;
• carer support (financial)
• carer support (non-financial);
• contact and access; and
• carer support groups.

Attention was also paid in the study to research around birth parents of children in kinship placements, children in kinship care, and training for workers in kinship care. 

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