PAC Press Release
11 September 2013

PAC welcomes today’s announcement of the government’s plans to fund adoption support to the tune of £19.3 million.

“The coalition government has reviewed adoption services and made a number of changes, however, until now a major stumbling block has been absence of reform of adopters access to support services” said Peter Sandiford, PAC’s CEO and Chair of CASA (Consortium of Adoption Support Agencies).  “I am delighted to hear today’s announcement of an Adoption Support Fund.”

The Fund, which it appears, will be drawn down by adoptive parents via personal budgets sits alongside the other provisions of the Adoption Passport and represents a major change in how PAC’s therapeutic services may be accessed in the future.

PAC’s Chair of Trustees and adoptive parent, Prof. Alan Rushton, responded to the news:

“I am delighted to hear that there is recognition of the struggles that adopters face and that there is to be provision of relevant and timely support.”

Peter says “I look forward to working with the Department for Education, in my role as Chair of CASA on the design of the Fund and the testing of a prototype.  This is a major opportunity to impact on supporting adopters in meeting the often complex and diverse needs of their adopted child.”

PAC is an independent adoption support agency which for almost thirty years has provided advice, support and information to anyone affected by adoption or other forms of permanent care.   PAC’s Advice Line on 020 7284 5879 (Mon – Fri 10.00am – 1pm, plus Wed & Thurs 5.30 – 7.30pm)  offers expert support and information on any adoption/permanent care issue.  PAC’s website is www.pac.org.uk, email advice@pac.org.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS: PAC's mission is to provide high quality, innovative services that support and make a difference to all affected by adoption and permanency: children and families, adults who were adopted/placed as children, birth family members and professionals.

  • PAC was founded in 1986 as the Post-Adoption Centre to meet the needs of adults and children experiencing problems arising from adoption. Its origins were in a growing recognition that adoption raises specific issues for all parties involved and at various stages of their lives. PAC was the first provider of independent adoption support in the South East.
  • PAC has developed a range of support services which reflect the complexities of adoption as well as other forms of permanent care, including long term fostering and special guardianship.
  • PAC has particular expertise in working with minority ethnic children, families and adults and with transracially adopted children and adults.
  • PAC currently has 39 staff members (5 full-time, 34 part-time and sessional workers) plus a Board of Trustees and a number of consultants.
  • In 2011/12 PAC received 5,346 contacts for services from people affected by adoption or permanent care as well as the professionals who support them.
  • PAC is a registered charity and is registered with Ofsted under the Care Standards Act 2000 as an Adoption Support Agency. In 2011 PAC received a quality rating of ‘outstanding’ from Ofsted.

For further press information:
Please contact Robert Stuart
Tel: 020 7284 0555
Email: press@pac.org.uk