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Charitable Purpose and Public Benefit
Kin Carers Connect Charitable Trust operates for exclusively charitable purposes within the meaning of the Charities Act 2005. The Trust’s purposes advance community wellbeing and deliver public benefit through the following recognised charitable heads.
- The Relief of Poverty
The Trust supports kin carers who often experience financial hardship as a result of assuming full-time care of children without the benefit of statutory foster care payments or adequate income support. Many kin carers are older persons or individuals who have reduced earning capacity and face significant legal and living costs.
The Trust contributes to the relief of poverty by:
- Providing practical guidance to reduce the financial burden associated with Family Court parenting and guardianship applications;
- Supporting kin carers to navigate legal processes as self-litigants where appropriate, thereby avoiding prohibitive legal fees;
- Facilitating access to resources, sponsorships, and community-based assistance that alleviate financial stress.
- The Advancement of Education
The Trust advances education by equipping kin carers with knowledge and skills necessary to understand and engage with legal, administrative, and social service systems affecting the children in their care.
This includes:
- Educational workshops and resources on Family Court processes, parenting orders, guardianship, and related legal obligations;
- Information-sharing that improves carers’ capacity to make informed decisions and advocate effectively for themselves and the children they support;
- Peer-based learning environments that foster understanding of children’s developmental, emotional, and behavioural needs.
- The Advancement of Health
The Trust promotes mental and emotional wellbeing for kin carers and children by reducing isolation, stress, and uncertainty associated with caregiving in complex family circumstances.
Activities include:
- Facilitating peer support and connection among kin carers to strengthen resilience and emotional wellbeing.
- Supporting carers to manage stress, grief, and burnout associated with long-term caregiving responsibilities.
- Promoting stable caregiving environments that contribute positively to children’s emotional and psychological health.
- The Advancement of Social Welfare / Other Purposes Beneficial to the Community
The Trust advances social welfare and provides benefits to the community by strengthening family stability, preserving kinship care arrangements, and supporting children to remain connected to their whānau and communities.
The Trust achieves this by:
- Providing advocacy and practical support to kin carers who fall outside formal statutory care frameworks.
- Facilitating family and community events that promote social inclusion and reduce stigma for children in kinship care.
- Supporting continuity of care relationships that prevent further disruption or entry into state care systems.
Community Need and Public Benefit
There is a demonstrated and ongoing community need for specialised support for kin carers who receive limited statutory assistance despite carrying significant caregiving responsibilities. By supporting kin carers, the Trust delivers indirect but substantial public benefit to children, families, and the wider community through improved stability, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes.
Non-Profit and Charitable Nature
Kin Carers Connect Charitable Trust is non-profit. All income, funds, and assets are applied solely towards the achievement of its charitable purposes. No part of the Trust’s income or property is distributed to trustees, members, or private individuals, except as permitted under the Charities Act 2005.