We work across the UK offering practical help to families whose children have been through the care system, such as adoptive, SGO and kinship care families, and helping everyone supporting them.
The impacts of early life trauma can be profound and affect every aspect of a child’s life, and every aspect of family life. Normal routines, education, friendships, psychological, emotional and physical development can all be difficult for a child who has experienced abuse, neglect and moving families. Relationships are the most powerful part of a child’s recovery, particularly their relationship with their parents.
We support families to help them focus on and strengthen the relationships in their family.
Ropes, clips and another encouraging person standing solidly below makes sure the climber is safe and feels safe.
Knowing they are safe means the climber can explore, climb higher and enjoy the climb. Climbing is a big part of our lives and a metaphor for what we hope to achieve for families.
The Belay Foundation can be part of the team belaying a family, offering practical help at home, supporting the family to access funds, and maximising the capacity and strength of the parents and everyone around the family to pull together and keep everyone safe.
From difficulties finding people to support you to struggling to manage financially we have been in your shoes and can offer practical, trauma-responsive support. It takes a village to raise a child and we all need people around us to lend a hand, to understand the challenges we face and accept our children’s needs. We can offer training to friends and relatives to help them get it and be alongside you and your family. We also have experience of finding and training Trauma-Responsive Support Workers to offer paid support at home. This can offer you respite and some space to work, spend time 1:1 with your children or just rest.
We also know that family finances can be impacted by parenting a child with additional care needs. Many children who have experienced early life trauma or who additionally have neurodivergent conditions such as ASD, ADHD or FASD need extra help and this can affect how much parents can work. Many of our children would be eligible for disability benefits such as Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment. We can help you make applications.
Finally we want to help the networks around a family parenting children who have experienced trauma. As a professional, when you feel confident understanding a child’s needs and are supported to develop that learning, you can provide the best help possible. Working with TAs, PAs, Support Workers and other therapeutic professionals, we offer training and reflection spaces to help you help your families.
The Belay Foundation is a charity helping families whose children have suffered early life trauma.
Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1192653
© 2025 The Belay Foundation. All rights reserved.
