Adoption charity welcomes Select Committee report on Children’s Social Care

The Education Select Committee has today published its vital report on children’s social care, including urgent calls for government  to improve support for adopted children and young people. 

The report, which looks at children’s social care as a whole, including adoption, fostering and kinship, describes a system beset by problems caused by increasingly-stretched budgets and lack of attention to reform, despite the substantial Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, three years ago. 

On adoption, the inquiry found there is too little recognition of the impact of the early trauma and separation experienced by adopted children, and of the support they need. It calls for support plans for adopted children with appropriate duties placed on local authorities to ensure the support needs set out is provided. 

Adoption UK CEO Emily Frith said: “This report is a powerful reminder that the children’s social care system is still not fit for purpose. Adoption is a vital option for thousands of children who can’t safely grow up with any member of their birth family. Yet many families feel their biggest challenge is fighting the system itself.”  

In research conducted by the charity, three quarters of adopters say it is a continual battle to get the support their child needs. 

Most adopted children have experienced significant trauma during their early childhoods, and that is exacerbated by the loss of their birth family and often multiple subsequent moves in care before being adopted. The need for lifelong support is common. 

Despite significant cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) made in April this year, the report highlights evidence of the positive impact the Fund has on families in providing therapeutic interventions.

The Committee argues it is unacceptable that funding for this year was not announced sooner, ‘leaving families and children uncertain about the future of their support.’ Backing Adoption UK’s calls to end the annual cliff-edge of uncertainty faced by adoptive and special guardianship families each financial year, the report calls on Government to make the Fund permanent. 

In addition, the inquiry recommends the Government review the impact of the newly reduced funding limits after 12 months and commit to increasing this, should there be evidence of ‘significant negative effects.’ Adoption UK is already working with the adoption community to monitor how the changes, brought in with no consultation or evidence-base, are affecting the lives of adoptees. 

Crucially, the report highlights evidence from the charity that shows adopted children are more likely to be excluded from school, more likely to have social, emotional and mental health difficulties and are more likely to leave school with no qualifications.  

Consequently, the Committee is calling on Government to back Adoption UK’s recommendations for a statutory framework for previously looked after children, similar to the Personal Education Plan for looked after children, to help identify support needs, and make planning interventions for adoptees who may struggle in school. 

Despite a manifesto commitment to adoption, there is still little sign this government is taking any action to improve outcomes for adoptees. As the report highlights, there is no mention of adoption in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently making its way through Parliament; and there is no commitment to review the last government’s adoption strategy.

This cross-party inquiry shows there is significant concern among policymakers regarding the lack of focused support for adopted children and young people, and these recommendations act as a welcome reminder to the Government that action is needed now.

(Picture created by AI)