The Connected Persons Team can help. They can give advice about money you might be able to get and explain what checks or assessments are needed.

If your money situation changes, you must tell the team. You might be able to get more help.

The amount of money you get can depend on the type of order in place:

• If you have a Child Arrangements Order (CAO) or a Special Guardianship Order (SGO), the money you get may be different from what kinship foster carers get.

• You might get an allowance, but this is usually means tested. That means they will look at how much money you have coming in and going out.

• This is checked every year to see if anything has changed.

If a child under 16 (or under 18 if they have a disability) is living with someone who is not their parent, guardian, or a close family member for 28 days or more, and the Local Authority is not involved, this is called private fostering. In this case, you will not get an allowance.

The Virtual School now works to:

• Make sure people understand the needs of children in kinship care and the challenges they face.

• Support schools to help children go to school regularly and enjoy learning.

• Help children in kinship care do better in school so they have the same chances as other children.

• Train school staff, like teachers and safeguarding leads, to support children in kinship care.

• Help schools find and fix problems that make learning harder for these children.

This new role means we want children in kinship care to be seen, supported, and included in school life. We don’t work directly with families, but we are here to give advice to carers, schools, and other professionals.

Click here to learn more

Working together to raise presence, participation and progress for Cared for Children, Children with a Social Worker, Previously Cared for and Kinship Care

Come and be part of a warm, welcoming space where kinship carers come together to share stories, offer support, and build connections. Whether you're just starting the assessment process or already caring for a child within your extended family, this is your chance to meet others who truly understand the journey.

Expect guest speakers, valuable resources, and plenty of opportunities for peer-to-peer guidance, or simply enjoy a friendly chat over a cuppa!

Let’s celebrate the strength of kinship care and support each other every step of the way. We can’t wait to see you there!

9th December 2025

13th January 2026

10th February 2026

10th March 2026

14th April 2026

12th May 2026

16th June 2026

14th July 2026

11th August 2026

15th September 2026

13th October 2026

10th November 2026

15th December 2026

We’d love for you to connect with other kinship carers, share experiences, and find support in a friendly and welcoming space.

How to join:
Simply email us at kinshipcare@rochdale.gov.uk, and we’ll send you the link to join the sessions.

Upcoming Dates:

• 9th December 2025

• 13th January 2026

• 10th February 2026

• 10th March 2026

• 14th April 2026

• 12th May 2026

• 16th June 2026

• 14th July 2026

• 11th August 2026

• 15th September 2026

• 13th October 2026

• 10th November 2026

• 15th December 2026

Come along, meet others who understand, and be part of a supportive community.

There may be times when the Local Authority will provide funding for legal advice so make sure you always speak to your Social Worker about this.

But it’s not always easy to ask for help.

Kooth is a great place to start. You can explore your feelings, find support and advice, and take the first step to recovery.

If our team feel that a specialist service would be more helpful for you, we’ll suggest some useful support services to contact.

Lots of young people feel this way, so you are not alone. Getting the right support as soon as possible can help you to feel better, enjoy life and achieve the things you want to.

We are for people living in Heywood, Middleton, Pennines and Rochdale, who want to improve their health and wellbeing by stopping smoking, losing weight, getting more active, or dealing with long-term ill-health linked to everyday living and much more.

Whatever healthy lifestyle change you want to make, take the first step and get in touch with us.

Parents can apply directly using the simple QR code booking form or professionals can send applications through to parenting@rochdale.gov.uk

January programme timetable flyer and referral forms are attached.

For further information on all our programmes, the QR code for parents to book and for application forms for professionals to complete visit ourrochdale webpage and search ‘parenting’ or click on this link Our Rochdale | Parenting & Family Relationships Programmes

This page also gives details on the regular parenting drop in’s across the Family Hubs and digital relationship tools available.

The app has lots of helpful videos and articles. Experts have made this information.

It starts with advice about getting pregnant and goes up to when your child is 19 years old.

Every article and video is checked by medical experts. Some of the team used to work for the BBC Science department.

The association asked for the toys to be kept at the library so they can be borrowed easily by residents.

Types of toys

There are over 100 toys to choose from at Heywood Library suitable for 0 to 3 year-olds, including:

• Puzzles and jigsaws

• Educational toys

• Baby toys

For more information you can Email: library.service@rochdale.gov.uk

Telephone: Click to call0300 303 8876

This phone line is open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm

The programme is designed for working with general challenges and conflicts that may lead to patterns of behaviour that are negative and ultimately abusive.  The programme consists of general awareness, sessions 1-4, self-awareness, sessions 5-8, skills for change, sessions 9-12.

send an E-mail to rochdale@victimsupport.org.uk to get booked on

Positive Steps is a dynamic charitable trust, offering a wide range of tailored services for children, young people, adults, and families.