Lack of post-adoption support was highlighted as a key factor in the breakdown of placements by a major study published last month.
The Department for Education-funded research found that placements were far more likely to break down in the teenage years, and that emotional problems and troubled behaviour linked to abuse often emerged several years after the placement was first made, at which time parents struggled to access help (see below).
Hugh Thornbery, chief executive of Adoption UK, says provision of support services is patchy, but thinks the Adoption Support Fund (ASF), launched last September, offers an opportunity to improve the situation. The ASF, which is being trialled in several local authorities, covers the cost of therapeutic services such as cognitive therapy, play and music therapy, and intensive family support to try to help adopted children recover from previous experiences.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
