From today, kinship carers living in North East Lincolnshire can apply to the Council for financial support under the new Kinship Zone Pilot announced last month.
The Council is one of just seven local authority areas in England chosen to be part of the new Government pilot project, which will see eligible kinship carers receive new support and an allowance for each child they care for.
This pilot aims to strengthen support for families, including kinship, and improve stability for children by testing new approaches to financial and practical support.
North East Lincolnshire Council has announced that kinship carers can apply from today – a week ahead of the Government’s launch date – and for those who are eligible, payments will start from the 1st April.
Kinship carers who care for children with a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) or a Child Arrangements Order (CAO) where a child would otherwise be in local authority care, can apply for a time-limited, non-means tested financial allowance for each child they care for, equivalent to the national minimum fostering allowances.
The allowance is intended to recognise the vital role kinship carers play and to help with the costs of raising children within the family network.
Director of children’s services at North East Lincolnshire Council, Ann-Marie Matson, encouraged kinship carers to apply.
“We’re pleased to be able to today launch our new Kinship financial offer under the Government pilot scheme.
“We want to hear from anyone who is caring for a child under an SGO or a CAO. This pilot may mean that you’re entitled to financial support for up to three and a half years, and it’s important that you access it.
“If you were previously in receipt of an allowance from the Council and were assessed as no longer eligible but you still care for children under the age of 18 as a kinship carer it is likely that you will be entitled to financial support under this time-limited pilot, so I would really encourage you to apply.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen to be part of this pilot scheme, and we desperately want kinship carers in North East Lincolnshire to be able to benefit from this support.”
Kinship carers already in receipt of an allowance from North East Lincolnshire must also apply under the pilot, to be considered for a full, non-means tested allowance.
To find out if you’re eligible, and to submit an application, visit: https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/kinship. You can also request an application pack from the Kinship Team. Email: [email protected] or call the team on: 01472 325545.
A number of face-to-face and virtual drop-in sessions have been set up to support kinship carers with completing their applications and seeking more information.
Immingham Family Hub – Margaret Street, Immingham, DN40 1LD
Monday 20th April 2026 10am-12pm
Thursday 14th May 2026 10am-12pm
Nunsthorpe Family Hub –Sutcliffe Avenue, Nunsthorpe, Grimsby, DN33 1AN
Thursday 2nd April 2026 10am-12pm
Thursday 9th April 2026 10am-12pm
Monday 27th April 2026 10am-12pm
Thursday 21st May 2026 10am-12pm
Thursday 28th May 2026 10am-12pm
Virtual sessions:
In addition to the drop-in sessions, the team are also hosting virtual sessions to offer more information to those who think they might be eligible.
Monday 30th March from 10am to 11am
Monday 13th April from 10am to 11am
Thursday 23rd April from 1pm to 2pm
To book your place on one of the drop-in sessions, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/kinship-zone-information-session-tickets-1985825853585?aff=oddtdtcreator.
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