Adopted children to receive extra support in school Government announces that adopted children will receive extra support in school as a result of the Children and Social Work Act - Adoption UK's successful lobbying leads to the inclusion of significant provisions for adopted children Expand 4 April 2017 Adopted children will receive extra support in school following successful petitioning by Adoption UK for a better understanding of the issues facing this vulnerable group in the classroom. Adoption UK lobbied decision makers to include a provision in the Children and Social Work Act 2017, which has just been published after receiving formal approval from the Queen on 27th April. The provision ensures that schools in England must understand the impact of developmental issues, including trauma and loss, on all children’s learning, by expanding the role of the Virtual School Head (VSH) and designated teachers to look after previously looked after children, including those who are now adopted. Virtual Schools were set up in England to provide extra help for looked after children’s education. In 2014, the government issued statutory guidance which required the appointment of a VSH in every local authority and the provision of a Personal Education Plan (PEP) for every child in care - but not for adopted children. The Children and Social Work Act (2017) expands the remit of VSHs to include the promotion of educational achievement of adopted children in England, and requires schools to appoint designated staff members to have responsibility for all children who were formerly in care, expanding the previous duty which related to looked after children only. Peter Seymour, Adoption UK’s chair of trustees, said: “We know looked after children’s problems do not disappear the moment they’re adopted. We’re also aware that adopted children frequently experience significant difficulties in school, which is why Adoption UK has been calling for a better understanding of the issues facing adopted children in schools. We’re obviously delighted that decision makers have listened to our concerns and acted upon them by including this provision in the Act.” But Mr Seymour warned more still needs to be done to improve life in the classroom for adopted children. Our members tell us their adopted children are regularly penalised at school He added: “Adopted children’s early childhood experiences can often lead to behavioural, physical and emotional difficulties which play out in a school environment. Our children rarely respond to the traditional methods of sanction and reward. That is why Adoption UK is working with the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), VSHs and other professional teaching bodies, in a bid to make every school attachment-aware.” The aim of the schools’ campaign is to provide all teachers with knowledge, practical strategies, access to training, and a network of support through Adoption UK’s schools’ membership programme. Attachment affects a broad range of children in schools but adopted children’s ability to keep pace with their classmates, academically, is still being compromised, despite the government’s best efforts. Latest research shows adopted children falling behind as early as Key Stage Two – with less than half reaching their expected targets – compared to three-quarters of their classmates. Mr Seymour said: “Unsurprisingly, these difficulties follow our children through school to GSCEs where we know fewer than one-in-four adopted children secure five or more A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and maths. The figure in state-funded schools is 57.1%. “Our members tell us their adopted children are regularly penalised at school because of a lack of understanding about their complex needs so we’re hoping to work with all teaching staff so they’re aware, as well as better equipped, to meet these vulnerable children’s needs.” To find out more about Adoption UK’s Schools’ Campaign click here
Adoption and Fostering: tackling delay Adoption UK consultation response form. Expand 6 December 2012 Our response to the Government's consultation on adoption and fostering proposals: Adoption and fostering tackling delay consultation.pdf
Adoption support boosted following AUK survey Adoption UK has helped to secure an additional one million pounds of adoption support funding for families in England Expand 22 November 2017 The Department for Education announces additional funding for the Adoption Support Fund following a survey by Adoption UK asking parents how the fund is working for them. You can view the headline results from our ASF survey here
Adoption UK 'disappointed' as half of CCGs use funds allocated for troubled young people elsewhere Half of CCGs use funds allocated for troubled young people elsewhere - Adoption UK "hugely disappointed" that funding is not reaching the NHS frontline Expand 21 December 2016 Adoption UK’s former chief executive Hugh Thornbery CBE has said he is “hugely disappointed” at new figures which show funding to improve struggling children’s mental health services is often not reaching the NHS frontline, despite soaring rates of self-harm among young people. Half of England’s clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are using their share of the £1.4bn ministers allocated to improve NHS care of troubled young people for other purposes, it has emerged. Freedom of information requests by the charity YoungMinds show that only 50% of CCGs, the GP-led bodies which decide how NHS budgets are spent locally, have increased their child and mental health services (CAMHS) budget this year, even though all of them received extra money specifically for that purpose. Mr Thornbery said: “It’s completely unacceptable that half of England’s CCGs are using some, or all, of the funding which was specifically allocated to improve NHS care of troubled young people, for other purposes. “The Coalition Government launched Future in Mind in March 2015, a plan to transform services around the country, after identifying an acute need for more investment and support for vulnerable groups, of which adopted children are one, to improve struggling children’s mental health services. Adoption UK was involved in this report and provided evidence - so to hear that only half of CCGs have increased their child and mental health services (CAMHS) budget this year by the full amount allocated for that purpose, is hugely disappointing. This means CAMHS is not having the pressure on them relieved by the funding, as was intended. “All Looked After Children have suffered the loss of being separated from their birth parents. Many have also experienced neglect and/or abuse in those families. Vulnerable children, including those who are adopted, require specialist support for their mental health needs. More than two thirds of adopted children have experienced abuse and or neglect and remain traumatised as a result of their early experiences. To overcome these challenges many adopted children require expert tailored support. Adult psychiatric wards do not provide the nurturing environment adopted children need to mend and form stable lives. “One in 10 young people have a mental health problem. That’s the equivalent of three in every classroom. This means there are around 720,000 children and young people aged between five and 16 experiencing a mental health problem in England.”
Adoption UK launches its Schools Campaign The aim of the first phase of our campaigning with schools is to provide all teachers with knowledge, practical strategies, access to training, and a network of support through Adoption UK’s schools’ membership programme. Expand 31 October 2016 Adoption UK launches its Schools Campaign - we have have joined forces with the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in a bid to make every school attachment-aware
Adoption UK responds to the National fostering stocktake Adoption UK responds to the National fostering stocktake: a review of the fostering system in England Expand 15 June 2017 Click the link below to download and read the response: Response document.pdf
Adoption UK responds to the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) consultation on ‘Children’s Attachment Expand June 2015 Attachment in children and young people who are adopted from care, in care or at risk of going into care’. Children's attachment comments AUK 2015.pdf
Adoption UK survey for the Department of Education on Experiences of Adoption Support Adoption UK conducts survey for Department for Education on adopters' experiences of accessing adoption support. Expand 15 - 31 May 2013 Download and read our findings: Adoption UK survey for DfE on Experiences of Adoption Support.pdf
Adoption UK thrilled at Government plans to give adopters equal rights Expand 13 November 2012 We are thrilled to welcome Government plans to give adopters equal rights in maternity pay and leave: AUK thrilled at Government plans to give adopters equal rights.pdf
Adoption UK welcomes adoption support packages but fears lack of resources may slow progress Our statement on the Government's announcement on support packages . Expand 24 December 2012 Download and read Adoption UK's response: Adoption UK welcome adoption support packages.pdf
Adoption UK’S Schools & Exclusions Report Adoption UK produces a report into adopted children and exclusions rates Expand 11 November 2017 Adoption produces a report into adopted children and exclusions rates in school following a survey of adopters. Download the full report below: Adoption UK’S Schools & Exclusions Report.pdf
Adoption UK's response to National Adoption Support Fund The Government announces a £19.3 million fund for adoption support. Expand 11 September 2013 Read Adoption UK's response: Adoption UK's response to National Adoption Support Fund.pdf