Muslim kinship care could save UK £223m a year, says new report
Faith-driven family practices prevent thousands of children from entering state care, finds Muslim think tank
LONDON (MNTV) — Muslim families in the U.K. are quietly saving the government over £223 million a year by stepping in to care for vulnerable children within their extended families, according to a new report by the Muslim policy think tank Equi.
The study highlights the impact of kinship care practices—where relatives take on the role of primary caregivers for children who might otherwise enter the foster care system.
Equi estimates that more than 5,500 British Muslim children currently live in such households, exceeding the number of Muslim children officially registered in the UK care system.
“This is not just about culture—it’s about a deep-rooted sense of duty and care,” said Sofiah Shah, lead author of the report.
“Seven in ten British Muslims told us they feel a strong personal responsibility to care for vulnerable children in both their immediate and extended families.”
The findings are based on a national poll conducted by Savanta, which surveyed over 3,000 people.
The data shows that Muslims are 66% more likely than the general public to offer informal or financial support to at-risk children, and 63% more likely to consider fostering or adoption.
Despite these high rates of support, many Muslim kinship carers are unaware that they may be eligible for state support—or feel sidelined when seeking assistance.
“Often, they’re not informed of their legal rights or that registering as foster carers could give them access to financial help,” Shah noted.
The report also found that faith is frequently overlooked in the foster care and adoption process—sometimes even seen as a barrier.
One couple interviewed was rejected during the final approval stage because they had turned to their mosque for grief counselling after losing a child, rather than using a secular therapist.
Concerns about discrimination persist: 59% of Muslims surveyed said they feared facing prejudice if they pursued adoption or fostering, compared to just 34% of the general population.
Equi is calling on the government to improve “faith literacy” in the social care sector and offer targeted support to prospective foster families from minority communities.
Recommendations include language assistance, legal guidance, and help for multigenerational households to expand their living spaces to accommodate foster children.
“Kinship care is already thriving in Muslim communities,” Shah said.
“It’s time for policy to catch up and support what’s working.”
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