Support available to prospective adopters of children with FASD

In this article, guest writer Brian Roberts shares his advice on the support available to adopters of children and young people with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).  Brian has been a Local Authority Foster Carer for over 25 years, is a trainer and consultant and specialises in supporting activity to improve the life chances of vulnerable children and young people.  Brian has written his piece for us as a part of his ongoing work alongside National Organisation for FASD.

We are at a tipping point as far as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the UK is concerned.

Over that last two years all the major health bodies have aligned to highlight the need for proper education about FASD, access to appropriate assessment and multiagency lifelong support for those with FASD.

Now local and regional organisations are attempting to develop polices and plans to meet the huge need.  This means that ‘official’ knowledge and support is patchy but is in the process of being developed overtime.

When a child or young person has been identified as being affected by FASD searching the Local Offer in the Local Authority where you live may identify local services.  In addition, the local Parent Carer Partnership may also have information about other sources of support in the local area.

There are also plenty of other places where families can get support.  Your Adoption Agency will be a great point to start because they will be beginning to understand where local services are as they support families that they are responsible for.

Nationally, the National Organisation for FASD runs two website resources to offer information, advice and guidance about FASD both are continually updated using UK sources and best practice.

The general website pages for information for parents and carers can be found here.  Many people will find helpful information throughout the site.  There is also an interactive website for children and young people with FASD called Me & My FASD where they can begin to understand FASD and how it affects them.

The FASD UK Alliance also gives information and advice and will allow families to find local support where it exists.  At the time of writing, the FASD UK Facebook pages have over 3,500 members with life experience of living with FASD.  It is well worth joining this group.  The Alliance is an informal group of local support services most (but not all) run by parents for families with FASD.

The website gives a list of those that are affiliated.  In the north of England support can be found through the FASD Network.  Just north of the border the FASD Hub Scotland run by Adoption UK is also a valuable source of advice and support.

The important thing to remember is that you are not alone and that there is an increasing group of successful people with lived experience willing and able to offer advice and support.

Find out more

A huge thank you to Brian for sharing his expertise with us.  We are always looking for homes for children with diagnosed or suspected Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).  If you think you could offer the support, love and nurturing a child needs to thrive why not complete our enquiry form today?

If you are a parent looking for support with a FASD diagnosis please email adoptcoasttocoast@durham.gov.uk and we will point you in the right direction.