Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund

Monday 1 December 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Alison Bennett raised concerns about adoption breakdowns and the impact on adopted children.
  • Lisa Smart discussed the positive impact of stable family environments on adopted children.
  • Rachael Maskell highlighted the need for more resources in the adoption and special guardianship support fund.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alison Bennett Lib Dem Mid Sussex
Children & Families
Context

A constituent of Alison Bennett, a therapist working with adopted children, highlighted the BBC Radio 4 programme 'File on 4' which reported that over 1,000 adopted children have been returned to care in the past five years.

Question

Alison Roy is a constituent of mine. She is a therapist and works with adopted children. Last week, she drew to my attention the BBC Radio 4 programme “File on 4” on the impact and state of adoption, which highlighted that more than 1,000 adopted children have been returned to care in the past five years. Does the Minister think that per-child cuts to the ASGSF will help or hinder keeping children with their adoptive families?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)

We do not have perfect data on this issue, but the data that we do have shows that cumulative adoption breakdowns have been at a rate of 4.8% over the past 12 years. I think that is too high, and it is the view of the Government that it is too high. We want to ensure that we get adoption support right for families, and I will go through a process of engagement with those who work in the sector and families affected to ensure that we can make improvements to it in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether per-child cuts would help or hinder keeping children in adoptive families

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Q2 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Children & Families
Context

A constituent with adopted children likely diagnosed with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder faces the end of therapy funding for two of her three adopted children, leaving no clarity on whether it will be extended. This lack of certainty impacts many families similarly situated.

Question

I am an adoptive auntie, and I know the power that comes to young children when they are in a stable, loving family and the impact that that can have on their lives. One of my constituents from Romiley tells me that despite a likely diagnosis of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder for two of her three adopted children, their therapy funding will soon come to an abrupt end, and there is no clarity on whether it will be extended. The only way she can see for her family and for many others like them to achieve safety, security and certainty for their children is through that support. Will the Minister update the House on whether they plan to extend the adoption and special guardianship support fund? If so, will they consider making a multi-year funding guarantee to offer adoptive families and—let us face it—some of the country’s most vulnerable children greater certainty about future support?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)

We want to ensure a sustainable, long-term future for adoption support in this country. I will set out plans in the near future that will hopefully address a number of the concerns that the hon. Member has mentioned. That sits on top of the really quite widespread changes and improvements we are making to children’s social care, with £2.4 billion of investment over the next three years to ensure that earlier family help is there for all families, regardless of their legal status, whether they are an adopter or a birth parent.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to extending the fund or multi-year funding guarantee explicitly

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Children & Families
Context

Regional adoption agency representatives met Rachael Maskell to discuss the adoption and special guardianship support fund, noting insufficient resources and high demand.

Question

I met people from my regional adoption agency just last Thursday—I thank them and all their partners for their excellent work—who raised the adoption and special guardianship support fund, recognising that the quantum in resource is not there and that the demand is so high. Will the Minister meet the all-party parliamentary group on adoption and permanence to talk about the future of the fund and work with people who have lived experience to ensure that we get it right in the future?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Josh MacAlister)

I know that my hon. Friend has been a long-standing campaigner and champion for these issues. When I was doing the independent review of children’s social care, she was a powerful voice advocating for support for adopters, and has continued to be one. I will gladly speak to and meet the all-party parliamentary group.

Answered
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