Local authorities will be able to provide adoptive families with emergency support following the announcement of a £8m fund.

The money will be used to provide therapies for those families whose adopted children may have already suffered trauma and be made more anxious during the coronavirus crisis.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: ‘We are taking urgent action to protect the country from the spread of coronavirus, meaning many of us have seen changes in our daily lives as we practice social distancing and stay at home. For adoptive families, often still adjusting to their new environments, this may create additional strain.

’That is why today I am freeing up £8m from our Adoption Support Fund to pay for therapies that will help families to cope in this uncertain time.'