Skip to main content
Menu
NewsCVAA signs joint open letter requesting urgent review of ASGSF changes

CVAA signs joint open letter requesting urgent review of ASGSF changes

Today, Tuesday 22nd July, CVAA joined Adoption UK, Coram, Kinship, Barnardo's and Family Rights Group in an open letter to the Secretary of State for Education, requesting an urgent review of the changes made to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) in April of this year. We have urged this action both to address the shortfalls in provision impacting children now, and to ensure that lessons are learned as the future of the Fund is shaped. The letter also calls for confirmation of funding beyond March 2026 as a matter or urgency, and confirmation that any future reform will be made only following a full and proper consultation with the adoption and kinship communities, providers and the sector.

The letter is available to read here.

A current survey from Adoption UK and Action Against ASGSF Changes found that almost all of those families who have responded so far (204) have had their therapeutic support interrupted or significantly altered (91%). There is strong evidence of delays to the delivery of support (50%), and 31% have
been told to choose between a specialist assessment or therapy. The Minister for Children and Families has previously suggested that local authorities or agencies would be able to cover shortfalls in funding, but families have told us this is not the reality. The survey heard from providers who have had to close as a result of changes, and many say they are now unable to meet the needs of the child under the new Fair
Access Limit.

The letter outlines both moral and economic reasons to review the cuts to the ASGSF.

We are urging our VAA members and adoptive communities to share the letter on their social platforms. Adoptive parents and others who care about this cause can use it to inform any individual action they wish to take, such as:

  • Using the letter content to write to your local MP, requesting a meeting. MPs will be spending more time in their constituencies over summer recess (Thursday 24 July to Monday 1 September).
  • Speaking to media, with the support of your agency / CVAA.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to discuss further how you can make a difference.