NCB Now: Children's minister Tim Loughton visits Tact
Monday, April 18, 2011
On 29 March, children's minister Tim Loughton visited fostering and adoption charity, The Adolescent and Children's Trust (Tact) at its head office in south London. He met some of Tact's foster carers and adoptive families who care for children affected by Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
FASD is an incurable condition caused by maternal drinking during pregnancy. It is estimated that 7,000 children are born each year in the UK affected by FASD. Many end up in care. The minister heard about the difficulties faced by patients and carers. In particular, children need understanding of their condition at school and parents need respite and other support at home.
One particular concern is that the adoption of FASD-affected children is being delayed as adoptive parents know that they would lose support from the local authority. Effective post-adoption support packages will help families and be more cost effective. The minister promised to look into these concerns and also said he would raise the issue with the Department of Health.
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