As part of our ongoing advocacy efforts, we provide the secretariat of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Adoption and Permanence. APPGs are informal, cross-party groups that bring together Members of Parliament and Peers with a shared interest in a particular issue, providing a platform for discussion, research, and policy recommendations.

We are delighted that the APPG for Adoption and Permanence was reconstituted on 4^th March 2025 , reaffirming our dedication to advocating for adopted children and families.

Established in February 2019, our mission is:

“To amplify the voices and experiences of adoptees and those in other forms of permanence and their families and use that to inform parliamentarians on issues around adoption and permanence and promote the development and implementation of effective policy and practice. To provide an opportunity for the ambitious exploration of innovative solutions to enable adoptees and those in other forms of permanence and their families to thrive.”

Guiding Vision and Values

Our approach is guided by core values that shape our work:

• To be ambitious but pragmatic in pursuing solutions for the sector.
• To challenge but remain constructive in appraising legislation, policy and current practice.
• To be positive but authentic in conveying the experiences of adoptees, those in other forms of permanence and their families.
• To seek partnership and collaboration as we recognise our shared ambition with government and other stakeholders.

The Story So Far

Over the years, the group has conducted two large inquiries and one smaller inquiry to address key gaps in support:

• 2019: The group conducted an inquiry on the impact and future of the Adoption Support Fund. The findings of this inquiry are summarised in the Investing in Families report, published in July 2019.
• 2021: The group conducted an inquiry on how to improve stability for adopted children and their families. The aim of the inquiry was to feed into the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and the findings and recommendations are summarised in the Strengthening Families report, published in September 2021.
• 2022: The group gathered evidence from individuals who have been affected by the lack of an equivalent to the statutory maternity allowance for self-employed individuals. The findings are summarised in our Self-employed Adopter Survey report, published in Autumn 2022.

What’s Next?

The reconstitution of the APPG for Adoption and Permanence signifies a renewed dedication to our mission. We remain committed to advocating for policies and practices that provide support to adopted children and their families. Through ongoing research, evidence gathering, and collaboration, we have one inquiry that is currently underway.

For more information about our activities, please visit our website at APPG for Adoption and Permanence.