History

The Adolescent & Children's Trust came into being late in 1992 in response to changes in child care policy.

Instead of Local Authorities continuing to place children in their care into large children's homes, they were encouraged to provide home-based care in the form of fostering. This move was also consistent with the rapidly emerging philosophy of care in the community.

These developments led to a huge increase in the demand for families and individuals who were willing to take youngsters between 0-18 years into their own homes. In addition, many of these families and individuals would be offering homes to youngsters who had suffered extreme levels of physical, emotional and material deprivation, before coming into foster care.

These rapid and radical changes made it extremely difficult for Local Authorities to meet this need. It was concern for the lack of adequate provision which led a group of Local Authority social services managers, who were also qualified and experienced social workers, to create TACT.

TACT now operates from premises in South East London under the control of a Board of eight Trustees. The Trustees come from different areas of business and social work. All give their time and expertise voluntarily and without pay.

Since those early days, TACT has grown and has teams of foster carers covering all of Greater London, the Midlands and Wales. Children are placed with TACT by Local Authorities who are unable to meet the children's need from the resources they have available.

TACT is totally committed to the support and professional development of its foster carers. In this way it ensures the best possible benefits for the ever increasing numbers of children in the organisation's care.