CVAA response to ASGSF letter from Minister for Children and Families

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.”