DfE Proposes Reforms to Adoption Support System

Today (10th February), the Department for Education (DfE) has published its outline proposals for reforming the adoption support system in England, alongside a consultation open to adoptees, those in kinship care, families, and professionals that will run for 12 weeks.

The government has also confirmed the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) will be extended to 2028, with funding of £55M allocated for the financial year 2026–2027.

This represents a 10% increase on last year, which is higher than the rate of inflation. However, there is no commitment to reverse the significant cuts made last April. This will be deeply worrying for many families who have already seen a devastating impact of cuts and delays to therapeutic support since then.

The announcement today comes after Adoption UK’s Barometer report last year showed 44% of adoptive families in England reported facing a crisis, and the charity called for the government to launch a review of adoption support. Adoption UK, therefore welcomes this vital opportunity for adoptees, those in kinship care, their families, and professionals to feed into future government plans.

Adoption UK also welcomes several of the proposals set out in the consultation, which come as a direct result of campaigning alongside adoptees, families, and partner organisations.

Despite some encouraging signs that the government is listening, we are concerned by some of the language in the document that appears to minimize the significant and lifelong impact of adoption-related trauma and care experience and that the need for support is common.

Many across the adoption sector will have significant concerns about proposals related to the future of therapeutic support via the ASGSF. Faced with a need to make savings and prevent costs rising due to increased demand, the government proposes devolving the ASGSF to either regional adoption agencies (RAAs) or local authorities.

Yet, there is little accompanying evidence to show how either option will improve the support adoptees and their families receive.

Emily Frith, CEO of Adoption UK, said: “We welcome confirmation of funding for the ASGSF for the next two years. We are also pleased that the Government has listened to our calls for a proper consultation on a full review of adoption support.

“Nevertheless, we are deeply disappointed that the cuts made to the fund last year have not been reversed and that the only proposals put forward for the future of the ASGSF are to devolve funding rather than retain a central ring-fenced fund.

“The postcode lottery in adoption support is already a serious concern, and devolving the ASGSF would create more inconsistency and reduce accountability. It is essential that ASGSF funding is ring-fenced so that it doesn’t get swallowed up by other demands on local authority budgets.

“Any review of adoption support must ensure that a new system meets the support needs of adoptees of all ages, as our research shows too many families are in crisis. We will be consulting widely with our community to now ensure that the government hears directly from them about what is working and what is needed, so that this review leads to a more robust and consistent system of support and improved outcomes for adopted people.”

Adoption UK welcomes proposals to strengthen peer and community support for adopted children, particularly considering recent evidence gathered through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence.

The group’s inquiry, ‘Adoptee Voices,’ found many young adoptees felt isolated and called for access to dedicated peer support groups where they can interact with other adoptees. The charity would like to see the proposals on peer support go further and extend to adult adoptees, who are worryingly absent from this consultation.

Proposals to improve support planning and support with key transitions are long overdue and very welcome.

The plans largely reflect Adoption UK’s recommendations in the Adoption Barometer (2025), which calls for robust adoption support plans that are regularly reviewed, particularly at moments of major change, such as the move between primary and secondary school and the transition to adulthood.