What is Kinship Care?

Kinship Care in South Carolina occurs when the caretaker is unable to meet the basic needs such as: food, shelter, education, healthcare, safety, etc. South Carolina is considered a “Kin First State” meaning the agencies goal is to locate kin/fictive caregivers for children prior to placing them in foster care.

There are many other terms used when talking about kinship care and may include:

Kinship (kin) caregivers/Kinship Care Providers are defined as relatives and non-relatives who have a biological, familial, community, or cultural connection to the child, including but not limited to: grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, stepparents, godparents, or non-relative adults identified as having a familiar and long-standing bond with the child or family.


Fictive Kin: This term is used specifically to describe a kinship caregiver who is not related to the child by blood or by legal means (like marriage). Someone who is fictive kin is usually a close family friend who knows the child well and feels like family.


Formal Kinship Care: This refers to kinship care when SCDSS has become involved. You may also hear this called formal kinship care. SCDSS has legal custody of the child in these cases—and a case manager will be assigned to work with the kinship care provider to protect the child’s safety and provide resources and guidance. SCDSS prefers to license kinship caregivers when a child is in foster care, because the caregiver receives monthly board payments and case management to enhance the child’s stability while living with the kinship caregiver.


Informal Kinship Care: This is care worked out between family members or friends and the child’s parents—without SCDSS involvement. You will also hear it called informal kinship care. People providing private kinship care will not have a case manager but may be able to apply on their own for government assistance programs.


Informal Kinship Care: This is care worked out between family members or friends and the child’s parents—without SCDSS involvement. You will also hear it called informal kinship care. People providing private kinship care will not have a case manager but may be able to apply on their own for government assistance programs.