About

THE ATHLONE TRUST CIO

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ADOPTED CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

Suite 27, 1 Rocks Lane, Barnes, London SW13 0DB
Email info@theathlonetrust.org
www.theathlonetrust.org

The Athlone Trust CIO (TAT) was established in 2020, succeeding The Athlone Trust (founded in 1978), which itself evolved from the National Children’s Adoption Association. Our core mission is to provide vital financial assistance for the educational needs of adopted children across the UK.

TAT prioritises support for children already established in school who face the risk of interrupted education due to unforeseen family crises such as illness or redundancy. We also consider applications for children requiring specialist educational provisions, including attendance at special schools catering to Special Educational Needs, or the provision of essential equipment like hearing aids, computers, and musical instruments that serve as teaching aids. Recognising the challenges faced by adopted children, TAT can also offer support, on a case-by-case basis, for the fees associated with mental health assessments when the NHS Right to Choose scheme is not a suitable option.

A common scenario involves adopted children with physical or mental health challenges where the local authority recommends private education but does not fully cover the associated costs, leaving families to bridge the financial gap.

The impact of TAT’s support is tangible. For example, a recent grant enabled Mary, an adopted child with cerebral palsy attending a private school recommended by the local authority, to remain at the school and thrive when her parents faced insufficient funds for additional and increased fees. Grant expenditure has frequently surpassed our regular income, so we depend on the generous donations and legacies detailed in our annual accounts, otherwise we are obliged to resort to capital.

While the demand for TAT’s direct financial support has seen a slight decrease since 2022, we anticipate a significant resurgence. Our ongoing efforts to raise awareness among other charities and local authorities, coupled with the government’s proposed VAT on school fees and the anticipated full implementation of policies aimed at accelerating adoption, are expected to drive a substantial increase in applications. To meet a potential return to pre-2023 levels of demand, and that for small grants, TAT will need to intensify fundraising initiatives. Also, the Trustees have decided to award small grants under the heading Nurturing Potential Educational Grants to help adoptees to meet smaller educational costs, please see Applications for details.

The Trustees, who receive no remuneration, are committed to ensuring that adopted children receive the support they require to fulfil their educational needs. Given the national focus on adoption, as highlighted in the 2016 government report “Adoption – A vision for change” and the continued increase in the number of looked-after children, the need for the Trust’s assistance is becoming ever more critical. All donations, regardless of size, will be deeply appreciated and will directly contribute to transforming the educational opportunities for vulnerable adopted children.

You can find more information about our work throughout our website. And to extend your support to adopted children’s education, please visit our How You Can Help page. Please also read our Fundraising Statement.

David King-Farlow
Chairman