We at TouchBase are very concerned about the silence from the government about the future of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund will continue. This money funds therapeutic work of all kinds for children who have experienced trauma and loss, and for their families. It is a lifeline for adoptive families and for kinship carers.

Even if the confirmation of the continuation of the fund does happen, it now means there will be big gaps in provision due to the build up of demand in applications. This wait and uncertainty is agonising for families who especially need safety, security and stability, and for children who have experienced enough extraordinary stress in their lives already. 

We must now request an emergency fund be made available to all adoption and special guardianship therapy providers to ensure there is no break in existing therapy work for children and families as a matter of urgency. 

Adoption UK is also calling for a permanent fund for therapeutic support, which would be protected from repeated funding negotiations, as well as greater flexibility in the use of the fund so that it can benefit more children and their families.

You can find out more in their article here: https://www.adoptionuk.org/News/thousands-of-families-left-in-the-dark-as-they-wait-for-news-of-vital-therapy-for-their-children