The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) recently announced project funding to support work around foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
The fund totals £473,000 though DHSC are aiming for a smaller number of grants and therefore encourage application via consortia where projects align. However, grants will be awarded according to quality of the bid against the specified criteria.
The guidance states it is particularly interested in innovative approaches from the voluntary sector along the themes of:
- Helping support Children and Young People with FASD to improve their understanding and management of their condition
- Developing support tools for families of those with FASD
- Developing tools to help improve training and education of professionals to raise the awareness of FASD
- Encouraging zero alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Target activity to high-risk couples where complex issues like parental conflict, alcohol consumption and mental health problems are evident
- Coordinate multi agency support where appropriate
The guidance identifies a scoping review on possible interventions for the prevention and management of FASD and their effectiveness. DHSC says FASD can cause physical, mental and behavioural problems in childhood, persisting throughout life. Its effects are diverse and range from cognitive and sensory processing issues and Attention Deficit Disorder, to heart problems and concerns with bones and organs. Quite often people with FASD have multiple diagnoses. As referred to in NHS Choices information on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, the condition is entirely preventable if there is zero alcohol exposure throughout pregnancy.
Earlier this year the first guidelines to help healthcare professionals in diagnosing FASD were published for Scotland. See here for further details including guidance and application forms. The deadline for applications is noon Friday 15th November 2019.
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