Urgent action is required at national and local level in order that clear policies and systems are in place in every local authority to ensure that family and friends care arrangements are appropriately assessed and supported.
This good practice guide has been developed to assist local authorities in this task. It is informed by:
· Examples of good practice found in policies sent by local authorities in response to the FOI survey.
· Experience of advice work at Family Rights Group which has identified additional examples of other good practice and suggestions of how to avoid poor practice.
· Recommendations arising from research into family and friends care.
It also contains a review of the research evidence in the UK on, and the range of legal circumstances which may arise for, family and friends carers.