What isn't included

Local Authorities should already be providing the following under their adoption support services:

Information, advice, guidance and signposting
Counselling
Opportunities for adoptive parents to interact (e.g. support groups, family days)
Mediation of contact with birth families
Mediation services when an adoptive family is at risk of disruption
Financial support
Basic Life story work
Short break care where no therapeutic input is provided

The ASF will also not pay for:

Support for physical medical conditions
Speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other universal health services.
Education support
Membership of clubs and organisations
Legal support
Support provided by private sector and third sector organisations that are not Ofsted regulated unless commissioned through Local Authorities
Training of staff
Support not delivered in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Animal, pet or equine therapy
Ex- Local authority (associate) social workers