HUNDREDS of households in Redditch have children looked after by siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents, new figures show.
A charity has called for better data collection on these families, to provide better support for those living in alternative family structures.
The ONS defines kinship care as children aged under 18 being looked after by family members who are not their parents.
Estimates from the 2021 census suggest there were at least 200 children looked after by 235 kinship carers in Redditch.
However, information on family relationships is only available for households with fewer than six members – so the true figures may be higher.
Nearly three-fifths of children (59%) lived with at least one grandparent, ONS figures show.
Steve Smallwood, from the ONS, said it is “striking how important grandparents are in providing care”.
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