The Department for Education has announced its continued commitment to improving adoption services in England, extending crucial funding for ongoing work until April 2026, confirmed in a letter sent by Janet Daby, Minister for Children and Families to Sarah Johal MBE yesterday. This investment, aimed at supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society, has been welcomed.

This funding enables us to maintain the coordination and collaboration across the adoption sector, ensuring continued improvements to the practice in the recruitment, matching, and the delivery of adoption support provided, to improve the outcomes for adopted children and their families. The government's decision clearly demonstrates its recognition of adoption as a key priority, and the need for an ongoing focus on adoption as a key permanence option for children, where they are not able to remain with their birth family or kinship network.

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

“This renewed funding commitment is vital and comes at a crucial time. It allows us to build on the progress already made, and to continue providing essential support and resources that help children and families achieve lasting stability and positive outcomes.”

Continued government support through ASGSF

This dedicated funding for Adoption England is separate from the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), which the government has also confirmed will continue into 2025–26. £50 million has been made available through the ASGSF to fund therapeutic support and specialist assessments for children who have previously been in care.

Speaking about the ASGSF, Minister for Children and Families Janet Daby acknowledged the uncertainty the delay in confirmation had caused, stating: "I very much appreciate that the delay in confirming continuation of this fund has been a very difficult time for many." She reassured the sector that transitional funding arrangements, which means that therapy that started in the last financial year can continue into 2025-26, even ahead of full 2025-26 budget announcements.

Sarah Johal MBE added:

"We know the delay in this confirmation has already caused gaps in support for some families and echo concerns raised around the need for earlier confirmation for the next financial year and a longer term funding settlement to offer more certainty for families."

We sincerely thank regional and voluntary adoption agencies, local authorities, sector partners, and those with lived experience of adoption for their continued dedication, hard work, and collaboration. Your knowledge, expertise, and experience have greatly influenced our shared priorities, guiding our collective efforts as we plan for the year ahead.

This continued government investment will help sustain the progress achieved in recent years, maintain momentum, and deliver lasting improvements benefiting everyone connected with adoption in England.