The relational value of reading: insights from kinship care families
This briefing provides insights into the role reading and sharing stories can play in kinship care families’ lives and the types of support they find most meaningful.
About this briefing
In 2024, as part of the National Kinship Care Strategy, BookTrust provided a suite of support to kinship care families through a wider programme led by Kinship – the leading kinship care charity in England and Wales.
BookTrust provided books, alongside information, advice and support to over 1,000 kinship care families. To learn about the role of reading and what carers found most valuable, we used a range of methods; including observations, feedback surveys and interviews.
The relational value of books and stories
We learned that, for kinship care families, the relational value of books and stories is what’s most important. They provide a platform through which carers and children can open up conversations, nurture connections, regulate emotions and reinforce self-worth.
Carers we spoke to also described sharing books and stories as a valued opportunity for calm, focused time together. And a way to talk to the children in their care about specific challenges and complex topics such as identity, difficult emotions or loss.
Experiences of BookTrust’s support
As part of our support, we provided books and booklists. In doing so we learned that carers deeply value not just the books we provide, but also practical ideas and strategies on how to use them as a supportive tool to spark meaningful conversations. Carers may already be aware of the power of using books in this way, but the knowledge that this doesn’t have to be tied to specific storylines unlocks new potential for them to adapt a wider range of books to meet their needs and the needs of the children in their care.
Through our online and in-person workshops, carers explored how to use stories and books to start conversations with the children in their care on topics relevant to their needs and experiences. We also provided specific books for discussing emotions and identity. Carers especially valued practical, easy-to-digest advice and clear, concise, actionable guidance that they can immediately apply.
Story Explorers – our early years offer for kinship, foster and adoptive families – provided monthly kits with books and resources to support joyful story sharing experiences for families at home.
Ellena, Erica and Zahin – one kinship care family’s experience of Story Explorers
Ellena is a kinship carer with special guardianship of her two grandchildren, Erica (5) and Zahin (2). The arrival of Story Explorers has become a joyful part of their routine. Zahin is always the first to explore the box, while Erica, who has learning difficulties, is equally drawn in – the books capturing her attention. She loves turning pages, asking questions, and connecting the stories to her own life. Erica gets so excited each month when the new books arrive, she takes the books to school to read with her teacher and classmates.
Ellena has noticed the impact books have on Erica’s developing emotional literacy.
Identifying emotions, that’s something she’s recently done.” she shares, “I know for a fact she picked up from the faces in the book, The Perfect Fit, how those people were feeling.”
Ellena, kinship carer
Ellena has told her kinship care support group how helpful the kits have been, not just for reading and learning, but for supporting emotional development and bonding.
“I encouraged others to have a look at what was on offer.”
Ellena also described how their reading habits have changed since receiving Story Explorers. Where reading used to be a once-a-day bedtime routine, it’s now something that happens several times a day, led by Erica and Zahin’s enthusiasm.
You make extra time when it’s something they’re excited about
Ellena, kinship carer
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals
What next?
This new briefing aims to help build recognition for the role reading can play in supporting kinship care families. We want to help build reading support into the systems around families as part of a child-centred local kinship offer.
Contact [email protected] to find out more.
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