Sam Turner
@samtrner.bsky.social
Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Kinship. Interested in children and families, education, policymaking, participation and politics. Geordie and thrower of frisbees. Views my own.
Pinned
Sam Turner
@samtrner.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Hi all. 👋
I'm Sam, and I'm interested in children, families and education policy, particularly around #KinshipCare and children's social care.
Follow for hot takes(?) on the above and other musings on policymaking, participation, and why North East England is the best place in the world.
I'm Sam, and I'm interested in children, families and education policy, particularly around #KinshipCare and children's social care.
Follow for hot takes(?) on the above and other musings on policymaking, participation, and why North East England is the best place in the world.
Reposted by Sam Turner
The balance between acute and preventative services has shifted dramatically. E.g. children's services
Spending on services like children's centres is down 79% in real terms, while acute services (e.g. looked after children) is up 71%
That contributes to rising acute demand in the long-term
Spending on services like children's centres is down 79% in real terms, while acute services (e.g. looked after children) is up 71%
That contributes to rising acute demand in the long-term
October 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
The balance between acute and preventative services has shifted dramatically. E.g. children's services
Spending on services like children's centres is down 79% in real terms, while acute services (e.g. looked after children) is up 71%
That contributes to rising acute demand in the long-term
Spending on services like children's centres is down 79% in real terms, while acute services (e.g. looked after children) is up 71%
That contributes to rising acute demand in the long-term
Reposted by Sam Turner
Lovely to join the Kinship carers event at Whitton Community Centre for #KinshipCareWeek. With thanks to Anna from the Kinship London group – an absolute force of nature & tremendous advocate for kinship carers.
October 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Lovely to join the Kinship carers event at Whitton Community Centre for #KinshipCareWeek. With thanks to Anna from the Kinship London group – an absolute force of nature & tremendous advocate for kinship carers.
Happy #KinshipCareWeek! 🥳
There's loads going on this week across England and Wales, but I'd suggest you start by checking out this incredible new short film which celebrates the power of peer support and community for #KinshipCarers.
There's loads going on this week across England and Wales, but I'd suggest you start by checking out this incredible new short film which celebrates the power of peer support and community for #KinshipCarers.
In The Same Boat | Kinship Care Week 2025
YouTube video by Kinship
www.youtube.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Happy #KinshipCareWeek! 🥳
There's loads going on this week across England and Wales, but I'd suggest you start by checking out this incredible new short film which celebrates the power of peer support and community for #KinshipCarers.
There's loads going on this week across England and Wales, but I'd suggest you start by checking out this incredible new short film which celebrates the power of peer support and community for #KinshipCarers.
Reposted by Sam Turner
The new #Kinship report is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure that all #KinshipFamilies get the support they need and deserve. I’ll continue to advocate for #KinshipCarers and their children in South Shields. #KinshipCareWeek
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
Handle With Care: Annual survey of kinship carers 2025
Explore key findings from our 2025 annual survey of more than 1,900 kinship carers and learn more about kinship families and the policy context in 2025.
kinship.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The new #Kinship report is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure that all #KinshipFamilies get the support they need and deserve. I’ll continue to advocate for #KinshipCarers and their children in South Shields. #KinshipCareWeek
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
Check out our @kinshipcharity.bsky.social new report - Handle With Care - published today ahead of #KinshipCareWeek, featuring key findings from our largest ever annual survey of more than 1,900 #KinshipCarers.
#KinshipCare #ValueOurLove
#KinshipCare #ValueOurLove
Handle With Care: Annual survey of kinship carers 2025
Explore key findings from our 2025 annual survey of more than 1,900 kinship carers and learn more about kinship families and the policy context in 2025.
kinship.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Check out our @kinshipcharity.bsky.social new report - Handle With Care - published today ahead of #KinshipCareWeek, featuring key findings from our largest ever annual survey of more than 1,900 #KinshipCarers.
#KinshipCare #ValueOurLove
#KinshipCare #ValueOurLove
Reposted by Sam Turner
I feel duty-bound to share this nonsense by Mary Wakefield for
@thespectator1828.bsky.social but it does demand some sort of response
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
@thespectator1828.bsky.social but it does demand some sort of response
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
The painful truth about foster care
The foster care system in this country is collapsing. There are roughly 80,000 children who’ve been removed from violent or neglectful parents and need homes, but there’s a catastrophic lack of people...
www.spectator.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I feel duty-bound to share this nonsense by Mary Wakefield for
@thespectator1828.bsky.social but it does demand some sort of response
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
@thespectator1828.bsky.social but it does demand some sort of response
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...
Reposted by Sam Turner
My latest: On the AI aesthetic, techno-millenarianism, and why the new right doesn’t understand genius.
Plato vs Grok
The revenge of the nerds is upon us and it's incredibly naff.
open.substack.com
August 11, 2025 at 6:52 AM
My latest: On the AI aesthetic, techno-millenarianism, and why the new right doesn’t understand genius.
Reposted by Sam Turner
Incredible that this is all the same article. How utterly pathetic
August 4, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Incredible that this is all the same article. How utterly pathetic
Reposted by Sam Turner
'Too often, government is looking for one answer to a problem that it can scale; the perfect pilot that can make a difference everywhere. It still sees change as an industrial process.' Electric blog from Vidhya Alakeson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the PM www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
The leaders who make things happen: lessons in governing from community business - Power to Change
Community businesses drive change where it matters most—locally. From leading Power to Change to advising Number 10, Vidhya Alakeson knows more than most th ...
www.powertochange.org.uk
July 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
'Too often, government is looking for one answer to a problem that it can scale; the perfect pilot that can make a difference everywhere. It still sees change as an industrial process.' Electric blog from Vidhya Alakeson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the PM www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Reposted by Sam Turner
The Independent Group For Change (UK) is up for grabs again, for what it's worth
July 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The Independent Group For Change (UK) is up for grabs again, for what it's worth
Really lovely shout out from former children's minister David Johnston MP highlighting @kinshipcharity.bsky.social's #ValueOurLove campaigning tactics and the impact this had on MPs and colleagues in government.
From this week's Policy Unstuck: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk.
From this week's Policy Unstuck: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk.
July 24, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Really lovely shout out from former children's minister David Johnston MP highlighting @kinshipcharity.bsky.social's #ValueOurLove campaigning tactics and the impact this had on MPs and colleagues in government.
From this week's Policy Unstuck: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk.
From this week's Policy Unstuck: policyunstuck.castfromclay.co.uk.
I am shocked, shocked I tell you.
July 16, 2025 at 7:54 AM
I am shocked, shocked I tell you.
Bloody loved reading this.
July 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Bloody loved reading this.
Great to see two images of the Minister meeting with kinship carers and @kinshipcharity.bsky.social in this roundup of the last year!
It’s been an honour to serve as the MP for Lewisham East and a Government Minister in the last year. I've visited children’s services nationwide and spoken to stakeholders.
It is clear that much more work still needs to be done.
It is clear that much more work still needs to be done.
July 10, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Great to see two images of the Minister meeting with kinship carers and @kinshipcharity.bsky.social in this roundup of the last year!
Reposted by Sam Turner
Over 1.6m children are now impacted by the Two-Child Limit - 11.6% of all children
This is a cruel policy that unnecessarily drags children into deeper levels of hardship
It needs to go, and the longer it is kept, the greater the scarring effects on children's health and education will be
This is a cruel policy that unnecessarily drags children into deeper levels of hardship
It needs to go, and the longer it is kept, the greater the scarring effects on children's health and education will be
July 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Over 1.6m children are now impacted by the Two-Child Limit - 11.6% of all children
This is a cruel policy that unnecessarily drags children into deeper levels of hardship
It needs to go, and the longer it is kept, the greater the scarring effects on children's health and education will be
This is a cruel policy that unnecessarily drags children into deeper levels of hardship
It needs to go, and the longer it is kept, the greater the scarring effects on children's health and education will be
Reposted by Sam Turner
Minoritised ethnic #kinship families face heightened challenges, shaped by inequalities & experiences of racism. To understand how to support these children, we need to understand their views & needs.
Our new funding call aims to fill this evidence gap 👉 foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ca...
Our new funding call aims to fill this evidence gap 👉 foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ca...
July 10, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Minoritised ethnic #kinship families face heightened challenges, shaped by inequalities & experiences of racism. To understand how to support these children, we need to understand their views & needs.
Our new funding call aims to fill this evidence gap 👉 foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ca...
Our new funding call aims to fill this evidence gap 👉 foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ca...
Very welcome contribution from the Education Committee today with its children's social care inquiry report, including strong recommendations around #KinshipCare which echo our #ValueOurLove campaign calls.
Kinship welcomes Education Committee children's social care inquiry report
Kinship welcomes today’s Education Committee report on children's social care which calls on the government to do more to support kinship families.
kinship.org.uk
July 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Very welcome contribution from the Education Committee today with its children's social care inquiry report, including strong recommendations around #KinshipCare which echo our #ValueOurLove campaign calls.
Earlier this week we @kinshipcharity.bsky.social launched our 2025 annual survey. Really grateful to all those individuals and organisations who can help to promote with kinship carers and via your networks.
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
Kinship launches 2025 annual survey for kinship carers
Take part in Kinship's 2025 annual survey for kinship carers. Help us fight for the changes that kinship families need in England and Wales.
kinship.org.uk
July 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Earlier this week we @kinshipcharity.bsky.social launched our 2025 annual survey. Really grateful to all those individuals and organisations who can help to promote with kinship carers and via your networks.
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
kinship.org.uk/our-work-and...
Thanks to @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social for inviting us @kinshipcharity.bsky.social along to join this spotlight session.
Our research shows that children in kinship care have a prevalence of SEND comparable to other social care groups, but are less likely to be receiving formalised support. 👇
Our research shows that children in kinship care have a prevalence of SEND comparable to other social care groups, but are less likely to be receiving formalised support. 👇
July 9, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Thanks to @appgkinshipcare.bsky.social for inviting us @kinshipcharity.bsky.social along to join this spotlight session.
Our research shows that children in kinship care have a prevalence of SEND comparable to other social care groups, but are less likely to be receiving formalised support. 👇
Our research shows that children in kinship care have a prevalence of SEND comparable to other social care groups, but are less likely to be receiving formalised support. 👇
Reposted by Sam Turner
Kinship carers make huge sacrifices to take on the care of a child, with 45% having to stop work. Whilst I am glad that the Government's review will look at statutory paid leave for kinship carers, we cannot afford to have yet more dither and delay.
July 2, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Kinship carers make huge sacrifices to take on the care of a child, with 45% having to stop work. Whilst I am glad that the Government's review will look at statutory paid leave for kinship carers, we cannot afford to have yet more dither and delay.
Really delighted to see our @kinshipcharity.bsky.social policy and campaigning work paying off as the government today launches its parental leave review and confirms the inclusion of kinship carers within its scope. 👏
Kinship celebrates inclusion of kinship carers within government’s parental leave review
Kinship today welcomes that support for kinship carers is included within the scope of the government’s long-awaited parental leave review.
kinship.org.uk
July 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Really delighted to see our @kinshipcharity.bsky.social policy and campaigning work paying off as the government today launches its parental leave review and confirms the inclusion of kinship carers within its scope. 👏
Whilst I was away on holiday last week (🌞🍹), the team at @kinshipcharity.bsky.social pulled together our response and a series of FAQs for kinship carers on the launch of the government's expression of interest for local authorities to participate in the Kinship Allowance Pilot. 🧵
Government reveals more info about kinship financial allowances pilot
Kinship is pleased that the government is today finally revealing more details about the long-awaited £40 million pilot of financial allowances for kinship carers in up to 10 local authority areas in ...
kinship.org.uk
June 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Whilst I was away on holiday last week (🌞🍹), the team at @kinshipcharity.bsky.social pulled together our response and a series of FAQs for kinship carers on the launch of the government's expression of interest for local authorities to participate in the Kinship Allowance Pilot. 🧵
Let the people of The North know a) our @kinshipcharity.bsky.social frustrations with the government's changes to the adoption and special guardianship support fund #ASGSF and at the same time b) my undying love for @olafurarnalds.bsky.social.
June 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Let the people of The North know a) our @kinshipcharity.bsky.social frustrations with the government's changes to the adoption and special guardianship support fund #ASGSF and at the same time b) my undying love for @olafurarnalds.bsky.social.
"Three years after my daughter’s death, I obtained special guardianship over the children. Even after this, I was told I wasn’t entitled to financial support because the children had never been in care."
www.bigissue.com/life/money/k...
www.bigissue.com/life/money/k...
Kinship carers need support. Instead, we're just left to get on with it
Rebekah became a kinship carer for her grandchildren after the death of her daughter. But the family is struggling to make ends meet.
www.bigissue.com
June 12, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"Three years after my daughter’s death, I obtained special guardianship over the children. Even after this, I was told I wasn’t entitled to financial support because the children had never been in care."
www.bigissue.com/life/money/k...
www.bigissue.com/life/money/k...