Children in Informal Kinship Care

Children who live with a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative, member of the child's tribe or clan, godparent, stepparent, friend of family or another adult who has a long-standing relationship with the child or the family under an informal arrangement where the family decides that the child will live with relatives or other kin. While a social worker may be involved in helping family members plan for the child, a child welfare agency does not assume legal custody of or responsibility for the child; and because the parents retain custody of the child, relatives need not be approved, licensed, or supervised by the jurisdiction.