More money for pilots and adoption

The government has announced £1m of money for the first wave
of councils to pilot children’s trusts later this year.

The funding will be allocated to the piloting councils through
their children’s services grant to help with the costs of setting
up trusts.

The government has said it has been “inundated” with applications
by councils to pilot trusts, and will soon announce the 14
successful bids due to begin in the autumn.

Meanwhile, the government has released details of how it will
allocate money for adoption and fostering services over the next
three years.

Announced last October, the £180m package is to improve and
increase support for adoption and special guardianship services.

The arrangements make provision for councils to spend an extra
£113m on fostering services through the Choice Protects
scheme, with £70m being allocated to adoption support.