Kinship carers: ‘Taking in my grandchildren has left me penniless’

The trust told Sophie, now 47, earlier this year it did not have any formal responsibility in placing the children in her care.

It has previously only given her a one-off £100 payment to help pay for clothes.

A letter stated the plan had been “formulated in conjunction with mother who was still deemed to have capacity and also continued to exercise her parental responsibility making decisions in respect of the children and their care”.

Sophie’s daughter was officially diagnosed with post-natal psychosis in April 2021 after she was sectioned.

She was also later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and has not left the house in three years.

Sophie remains firm that the children, now aged 10 and four, should not have been classed as living with her under a family arrangement.

To try and make ends meet, she works part-time and continues to claims Universal Credit.

“The kids weren’t allowed to return home – and now we’re in a situation where nobody wants to help,” she said.

“I took them on because I love them to bits, not for the money – but practical side of it is I need the financial support.”

*Names have been changed

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