The Minister reiterated that the DfE faced tough budgetary decisions due to growing pressure from the rising number of kinship families and children under Special Guardianship Orders, which is why changes had to be made. She concluded the letter by confirming a roundtable discussion will be had on Wednesday 21st May with key stakeholders on adoption issues, including the ASGSF. Satwinder Sandhu, CEO of CVAA will be attending.

The full letter from the Minister is available here.

In response to the Minister’s letter, Satwinder Sandhu said the following:

“The government’s decision to proceed with cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund is, as we have already said, disappointing and out of step with the urgent needs of adoptive and kinship families. These changes ignore growing demand for therapeutic support and will increase pressure on the NHS and local services—placing already vulnerable children at even greater risk.

It is unacceptable to suggest that local authorities, already facing acute financial pressures, divert essential preventative funding to compensate for the government’s withdrawal. This is not just inadequate—it undermines the long-term stability of family placements. We are therefore keen to explain to the Minister why we feel this way and I am grateful to have the opportunity to do this in person. We know that as a social worker she has a good understanding of these issues but we also appreciate the pressures the department is under.

In the meantime, though, we are continuing to hear directly from adoptive and kinship families who fear for their children’s mental health and their ability to access vital services. These voices cannot be ignored.

Together with our partners we will therefore continue to press the government to reconsider its position for 2025–26. At the same time, we are calling for urgent cross-sector collaboration to address the immediate challenges and design a sustainable, long-term plan for the ASGSF. The Spending Review is a critical opportunity to secure stable funding and ensure that no adoptive or kinship family is left behind. CVAA remains committed to ensuring families get the support they need to thrive.”

There’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family, according to 65 per cent of Brits – this comes as National Adoption Week (21-27 October) has launched today to increase understanding of modern adoption and show that ‘the journey to a family is not always a traditional one’.

The survey by You Can Adopt has also revealed that the vast majority of the public (87 per cent) feel it’s important to teach children that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that this promotes acceptance of children from non-traditional family units (60 per cent). However, half of the public surveyed (50 per cent) were not taught this themselves when growing up.

The survey explored changing attitudes to family life, as National Adoption Week highlights the diversity of adoption journeys today, and the significant people who are there to navigate the path.

It was also revealed that nearly half of Brits (48 per cent) say they have a ‘chosen family’, while only a third (37 per cent) felt that ‘blood’ was an important factor in defining a family. The term ‘chosen family’ recognises relationships and support networks that exist in parallel to the immediate family and indicates changing perceptions over what defines a modern family unit. Meanwhile, 42 per cent of the public consider themselves to belong to a non-traditional family – such as blended, extended, adoptive, or single parent.

Sarah Johal MBE, National Adoption Strategic Lead from Adoption England, said: 

“With the number of children needing adoption increasing and a decline in those coming forward, it’s crucial during National Adoption Week to raise the profile of modern adoption. We hope to show that adoptive families are not alone, they have a community of support around them – from social workers and foster carers to others who have walked the same path. Some are there for the whole journey, others just for one small part, and of course birth families remain an important part of a child’s identity throughout their life. But each of these people plays an important part in the lifelong nature of the adoption journey that makes each family’s experience unique.”

To mark the theme of ‘The Journey’ a new short film, set onboard a train, follows the stories of three adoptive families on their travels, reflecting on the ups, downs and detours of their lifelong journey.

Rachel, who features in the film alongside her two-year-old adopted daughter Winnie, father Daniel and social worker Becky, said: “You have an idea in your head of what family looks like, and for us it’s been different, but even more wonderful in different ways. For me, it’s really important that Winnie has a sense of herself and her identity – that she understands that not only do all families look different, but she has more than one family, and that’s OK.”

This comes as latest data shows there has been a 22 per cent increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption not yet matched with an adoptive family in England in 2023-4, compared to the previous year, meaning there are 780 more children not yet placed with a family, than there are approved adopters waiting to be matched with a child. With fewer potential adopters coming forward – believed to largely be a result of the cost-of-living crisis – this means that nearly half (47 per cent) of all children face delays of over 18 months to be placed with an adoptive family.

In support of the campaign, train companies across the country including Southeastern Railway, Hull Trains and Avanti are encouraging more people to start their own adoption journey. From offering free tickets for adoptive families, to changing digital signage at train stations, rail companies are rallying behind the cause in support of everybody who is part of an adoptive family or considering embarking on their own adoption journey. 

National Adoption Week has also seen the publication of the new ‘Adopter Journey Standards’. The standards act as guidance and highlight what adopters can expect from their agency and social worker through the adoption journey, from providing prospective adopters with preparation training and resources, to facilitating Family Network Days to help the wider family reflect on how they will be able to support adopters and their adopted children. 

To find out more about adopting with a voluntary adoption agency, visit Agency Finder – Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies 

CVAA is delighted to welcome its newest member Kibble Adoption. A brand new Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA) and the first in Scotland in the last 15 years, Kibble is now one of 5 VAAs in the region.

Kibble’s vision is to ‘Transform Lives, Families and Communities’ and the development of Kibble Adoption is in direct response to the needs of children requiring loving adoptive families in Scotland.

You can find out more about the agency via its website: Homepage – Kibble Adoption

• Adoption experts have described an ‘unprecedented’ decline in adoption rates – for the first time in recent years, there are now more children in need of adoption than those coming forward to adopt. 
• With the cost of living hitting families, experts warn that prospective adopters may be holding back waiting for the ‘perfect time’ or circumstances. But for a child needing a permanent home, the perfect time is now. 
• This comes as a new survey reveals that six in ten (57 per cent) parents said they ‘never felt truly prepared’ to be a parent, and 72 per cent said there is no such thing as a ‘perfect time’ to start a family. However, 83 per cent now consider it the most rewarding experience of their life. 
• You Can Adopt has launched a new campaign, The Journey, to inspire more people to take the first step towards growing their family – with a new film showing that like any family ‘road trip’, adoption is a journey full of challenges, chaos, conversation, and love. 
• The campaign is supported by BBC’s ‘The Traitors’ contestant Miles Asteri, adoptive father of two, who described adoption as ‘the adventure of a lifetime’. 

 Adoption experts have warned of a ‘concerning’ decline in adoption rates. For the first time in recent years, there are now more children in need of a permanent home than those coming forward to adopt, with a 14 per cent increase in children needing an adoptive family, compared to 2022-23. Latest data, also shows that 15 per cent fewer children were placed with an adoptive family in the last quarter. 

 In response, You Can Adopt has today launched its latest recruitment campaign, The Journey, which aims to inspire more people to take the first step towards growing their family. You Can Adopt is a nationwide adopter recruitment programme run by Adoption England. 

 The campaign comes in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, which has heightened parental anxieties about finding the ‘perfect’ time and circumstances to start a family, especially for prospective adopters – with nine in 10 saying it has directly affected their adoption decisions. Like any new parents, many prospective adopters worry about their ability to cope, but experts are highlighting that adoption is a journey that can be navigated with a range of support available at every stage. 

 To mark the launch, new survey data reveals feeling underprepared for parenthood is very common among all parents. Being emotionally ready (44 per cent), earning lots of money (22 per cent), being at the right point in their career (19 per cent) were among the most common concerns before people start a family. However, six in ten (57 per cent) of parents in fact said, ‘they never truly felt prepared to become a parent’ and 72 per cent said there is no such thing as a ‘perfect time’ to start a family. 

 While 77 per cent felt it was the most challenging thing they have ever done; this was outweighed by the 83 per cent who consider parenting as the most rewarding experience of their lives. The results have been released by You Can Adopt as it highlights that, while the path may not always be smooth, the rewards of giving a child a loving, stable home are unparalleled. 

Sarah Johal, National Adoption Strategic Lead for Adoption England, said: “Every child deserves a loving, permanent home, so it’s concerning to see that, for the first time in recent years, the number of children in need of a permanent home is now greater than those registered to adopt. In many parts of the country this is having a very real and unprecedented impact on the numbers of children able to find their forever family. We’re encouraging anyone considering adoption to take the first step in their journey – don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ time. Like all parenting, adoption is not always easy and there will be bumps in the road, but there is lots of support available – including, emotional and therapeutic. I would encourage anyone who is thinking about growing their family to just take that first step.” 

 A new campaign film follows adoptive families on their travels, reflecting research findings that highlight the ups and downs of ‘family journeys’. According to the new survey, the public commonly associate family trips with getting lost (27 per cent), sibling bickering (24 per cent) and spillages (17 per cent). However, these chaotic moments are far outweighed by the positives, such as special memories (43 percent), excitement for the destination (42 per cent) and bonding time (39 percent). The results have been highlighted by You Can Adopt to show that much like any family trip, adoption is an adventure filled with chaos, challenges, conversations – and love.  

 Adopters from all walks of life are sharing their own journeys as part of the campaign, including adoptive father-of-two Miles Asteri, star of the BBC’s The Traitors. Miles said: “Adoption has always been a part of my life, as my mother was also adopted, and so we knew it would be the right way to grow our family. Before you adopt it’s natural to have lot of questions or worries. But I don’t think anyone truly feels prepared for the experience of becoming a parent until their child makes them one. Like all families with young kids, we’ve had our chaotic moments, but it’s been rewarding like nothing else – watching our daughters grow into the wonderful little people they are is an unparalleled feeling. I would urge anyone thinking about adoption to just start that journey – for us, it’s been the adventure of a lifetime.” 

 Miles is also hosting a new podcast episode from You Can Adopt, where he discusses his own experience with adoption, alongside single adopter, Alexandra.  

We Are Family (WAF) is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with Yorkshire Adoption Agency (YAA) to enhance support and grow a sense of community for adoptive families. This partnership provides YAA members access to WAF’s online digital platform, offering numerous resources, peer support opportunities, and educational tools.

We Are Family empowers adoptive families through various services, including peer support groups, expert-led webinars, and an extensive resource library. With its recorded talks and educational materials, WAF’s online Member Hub ensures adoptive parents have opportunities to vital information and community support throughout their adoption journey. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, catering to the diverse needs of adoptive families and instilling a sense of capability and confidence.

In addition to peer support, WAF’s platform provides access to mental health resources, parenting strategies, and adoption-related guidance from experts. The collaboration with YAA will facilitate a more extensive reach, ensuring adoptive families in Yorkshire benefit from these resources and connect with a wider community of adopters.

Yorkshire Adoption Agency, a pillar of support for adoptive families across the region, is committed to providing personalised and compassionate services. YAA’s services, including pre-adoption training, post-adoption support, and regular events to develop community among adoptive families, are all designed to make adoptive families feel cared for and understood. YAA’s experienced team works closely with families to ensure that each child’s needs are met and that adoptive parents feel supported every step of the way, reinforcing the sense of care and understanding.

Lisa Barker, Director of We Are Family, stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Yorkshire Adoption Agency. Together, we can extend our reach and ensure that more adoptive families receive the support they need, when they need it, throughout their journey.”

Sue May, Director of Yorkshire Adoption Agency, added, “Yorkshire Adoption Agency is thrilled to be working in partnership with We are Family, which leads the field in peer-led adopter support. This partnership will give our adopters access to a huge range of professional webinars, podcasts and other resources. We will also benefit from their expertise in setting up local peer-led adopter groups to complement our existing offer and provide a safe social haven for our community of adopters.”

Midlands-based charity Adoption Focus is currently celebrating its 15^th anniversary as a Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA).

Adoption Focus was established in June 2009, and since then has grown to be one of the largest VAAs in the country and has placed more than 700 children with 500 new families.

Many of these families joined Adoption Focus team members and volunteers for an anniversary celebration party last weekend featuring music, face painting, a buffet, a bouncy castle, garden games, a storyteller, arts and crafts, and dance activities.

Adoption Focus CEO, Anna Sharkey, said:

“We’re very grateful to everyone who joined us for our celebration party and made it such a success. It’s always a pleasure to spend time with our adopters and their children and catch up on their continuing stories. For this event, we were joined by families who adopted in our earliest days as an agency, whose children are now young adults, as well as much more recent adopters enjoying their first few months of family life. It was a lovely reminder of how our staff, trustees, and volunteers work together with adopters to enable every child to have a family in which they can grow, thrive, feel loved, know who they are, where they come from and where they belong. Here’s to the next 15 years – working together to improve lives.”

Other plans to mark the charity’s landmark year include a fundraising campaign to support their work with children who’ve had a challenging start in life, and the release of a special podcast episode in which Nathan looks back on his journey as a single adopter, 10 years after his sons were first placed with him. They are also actively recruiting potential adopters to provide safe, loving homes for vulnerable children in the months and years to come.

Adoption Focus is an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rated adoption agency operating across the whole of the central England region, from Cheshire across to Lincolnshire in the north, down to Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire in the south. For more information about their services, please call them on 0121 779 0891 or visit www.adoption-focus.org.uk.

We are delighted to announce that one of our valued members Adoption Matters has launched its new independent, not-for-profit, fostering service in the North West, Foster Care Matters!

Achieving its Ofsted registration earlier this month, Foster Care Matters will offer stable and loving homes for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years who require foster care.

To celebrate this fantastic news, a launch event was held in Chester last week with (L to R) Karen Davies, Susy White Adoption Matters, with Karen Palfreyman Foster Care Matters.

CVAA is very excited to welcome Family Routes as CVAA’s newest member! Based in Northern Ireland, Family Routes is an independent charity with five distinct services offering a range of support and counselling to those affected by adoption and fertility issues. Under the Family Routes umbrella of core services includes voluntary adoption agency Adoption Routes. More information about our newest member can be found here.

AdoptionPlus has made the difficult decision of closing its placement service due to the reduction in placement order numbers and the reduced need for Voluntary Adoption Agency placements, which now means that it is no longer viable for AdoptionPlus to offer this service. The agency, however, will still remain registered as a Voluntary Adoption Agency with Ofsted and are committed to continuing to support adoptive and SGO families. In addition to its existing services, AdoptionPlus is also increasing its work in the residential and foster care sectors. More information can be found here.

Adoption Matters is developing a new independent, not-for-profit, fostering service in the North West.

Having researched into expanding into the foster care market for over two years, Adoption Matters aims to offer a not-for-profit fostering service to the local authorities across the North West, providing cost effective and high quality foster care households. The aim is to launch its new fostering service in late 2023/early 2024 under the new name Foster Care Matters.

Adoption Matters has confirmed that nothing will change and it will continue to recruit adoptive families, place children, offer support to adopted adults and birth families and offer therapy and support services through our Centre for Adoption Support and Therapy Service.

You  can find out more about the new fostering service  on the Adoption Matters website.