Funding of Family Relationships

People who seriously consider an adoption are sometimes demotivated by potential problems in creating a good relationship with the adopted child. They are worried that the child will not respect them or trust them, or that they are not going to love the child as their own. But, there is one solution provided by The Adoption Support Fund which has been created to ensure that adoptive parents can get therapeutic support for themselves and their children. But, who is eligible for such help?

The Fund is intended to help children under 21 living in the UK. Although, children up to 25 years old with a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health and Care Plan also qualify. But, they must have been adopted from a local authority care in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, or from overseas. There must also be a Child Arrangement Order or a Special Guadianship Order in place.

If you meet the above requirements it is not hard to get access to the fund. The whole process starts with an assessment of you family's needs relating to adoption. The local authority which places a child with you has a responsibility to assess your needs for a period of three years after adoption. After that, the local authority where you live holds this responsibility, if you relocated after adoption.

It is very convenient that you do not even have to apply for it by yourself. If an the assessment led to a conclusion that therapeutic services are needed for your family, the local authority will apply for it for you. Fundig will then be transferred to the local authority. A social worker is then expected to talk with you about the type of help you can get. It will be an opportunity for you to express your opinion and preferences.

However, it may be difficult to get any type of help you want because the services available under this fund are limited to those provided by local authorities, OFSTED, NHS providers such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Although, the funding is quite high as the amount per year for one child is capped at £5000 plus £2500 for a child with a need for a specialist assessment. Besides, if a therapy and assessment above this amount are needed local authority can still be able to help. But, what kind of therapies does it cover?

This funding is available for any kind of therapy which aims to help with improvement of family relations or with relations with other people such as friends or teachers. Therapies which focus on engagement in learning, behavioural management and emotional regulation, and on confidence and social relationships are all covered.

Sources: https://talkingparents.com/home
https://www.first4adoption.org.uk/adoption-support/financial-support/adoption-support-fund/