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Adoption UK has welcomed the government’s decision to undertake a full review of adoption support in England, while raising concerns about proposals to devolve funding for therapeutic services to local or regional bodies.
The Department for Education has published outline proposals for reforming the adoption support system alongside a 12-week consultation open to adoptees, individuals in kinship care, families and sector professionals. The government also confirmed that the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund will be extended until 2028, with £55 million allocated for the 2026–2027 financial year. The funding represents a 10% increase on the previous year and exceeds the rate of inflation, although no commitment has been made to reverse reductions introduced in April 2025.
The charity said the absence of any reversal of earlier cuts is likely to cause continued concern among adoptive families, many of whom have reported delays and reduced access to therapeutic services following the funding changes. Adoption UK previously highlighted the scale of demand for support in its annual Barometer report, which found that 44% of adoptive families in England reported experiencing crisis situations. The organisation subsequently called for a comprehensive review of adoption support provision.
The charity has welcomed the consultation as an opportunity for adoptees, kinship carers, families and professionals to influence future policy, and noted that several of the proposals reflect recommendations made through sector-wide campaigning. However, it has expressed concern that elements of the consultation document appear to understate the long-term impact of adoption-related trauma and the extent to which ongoing support is often required.
Particular concern has been raised in relation to proposals for the future delivery of therapeutic support through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. The government has suggested that, in order to manage increasing demand and rising costs, responsibility for the fund could be devolved to regional adoption agencies or local authorities. Adoption UK has questioned whether sufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that such changes would improve outcomes for adoptees and their families.
The charity has also warned that devolving funding risks increasing regional variation in access to services. It has argued that maintaining a centrally administered and ringfenced funding structure is essential to ensure consistency, accountability and protection of resources intended specifically for adoption support.
Adoption UK has emphasised that any reform of the support system must address the needs of adoptees across all age groups, noting research indicating that many families continue to experience significant challenges long after adoption orders are made. The organisation intends to consult widely with adoptees and families to inform its response to the government’s proposals.
The charity has also welcomed proposals to strengthen peer and community support for adopted children. Recent evidence gathered through the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence found that many young adoptees reported feelings of isolation and expressed a desire for access to peer support groups where they can connect with others with similar experiences. Adoption UK has suggested that such initiatives should be extended to include adult adoptees, who it said are largely absent from the current consultation proposals.
Proposals to improve adoption support planning and to provide additional assistance during key transitional periods have also been described as overdue. Adoption UK noted that the government’s plans reflect recommendations made in its 2025 Adoption Barometer report, which called for comprehensive and regularly reviewed support plans, particularly during periods of significant change such as transitions between stages of education and the move into adulthood.
