What action it has taken to support kinship carers since the passing of motion S3M-3078 on 11 December 2008.

The concordat agreement between local authorities and the Scottish Government contained a commitment to pay allowances to kinship carers of looked after children. All local authorities have stated that they will be meeting this commitment by 2010-11.
The Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, subject to parliamentary approval, will give kinship carers of looked after children, for the first time, a formal statutory basis with a range of responsibilities and duties for both the local authority and the carer to meet the needs of the looked after child.
The Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) Kinship Care Advice and Information Service was set up by the Scottish Government to provide advice for all kinship carers, including advice on maximising benefit and income entitlements. CAS also provide advice and support to each local authority for their work with kinship carers.
Scottish Government wrote to the UK Government on 6 May 2009 to invite approval for changes in child benefit and child tax credit regulations which will enable kinship carers of looked after children to receive benefit while also receiving financial support from a local authority, where this is appropriate.