At Home for Good, we are committed to advocating for adopted children and young people, many of whom have experienced trauma and loss. This week, we warmly welcomed the Government’s announcement that the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) will receive £50 million for the new financial year.

Every year, around 3,000 children in England are placed into adoptive families.[1] Many have faced neglect, abuse, or violence before entering care. The ASGSF has played a pivotal role in providing these children with access to therapeutic support, helping them process early trauma and build strong, lasting relationships with their families.

A report we conducted through the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Adoption and Permanence shows the impact the Fund has had. 79% of adopters reported that the Fund met a need that could not be met elsewhere, and 90% of adopted children and young people said it had significantly helped them.[2]

After months of uncertainty, this confirmation provides relief for many families who rely on the Fund to access essential therapeutic services and specialist assessments. Without this support, many children, who have already faced immense challenges, would struggle to receive the help they need to flourish.

A victory for families and the sector

This announcement is the direct result of persistent advocacy from adoptees, families, charities, and parliamentarians who have tirelessly pressed the Government for clarity on the future of the Fund. We are encouraged by the widespread efforts to ensure that the needs of adopted children and those in special guardianship arrangements are prioritised.

The work is not yet finished

While this funding is hugely welcome, we know that families need more than year-to-year assurances. The late confirmation of this funding has caused disruption, with some children unable to access essential therapy while waiting for a decision. It is essential that future funding decisions are made in a timely manner to prevent unnecessary stress and delays for families who depend on this support.

‘I know our son's therapy now delayed at least an additional 3 months,’ adoptive mother Isabelle* shared.

At Home for Good, we will continue working alongside families, charities, and parliamentarians to push for long-term security for the Fund. In recent weeks we have supported MPs as they pushed the Government for an announcement and we spoke directly to Minister for Children, Janet Daby MP seeking assurances the Fund would continue.

Every child deserves the opportunity to flourish, and we are committed to ensuring that the support they need is available - not just now, but for years to come.

*Name has been changed

[1] Department for Education. 2024. Children looked after in England including Adoption. Available online. [Accessed 2 April 2025]

[2] APPG on Adoption and Permanence. 2019. Investing in Families. Available online.