Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 37
37
Accepted
Adopted children's early trauma impact on education receives insufficient recognition and support.
Conclusion
There is too little recognition of the impact of the early trauma and separation experienced by adopted children, and of the support they need to thrive in education and beyond, with over half of adopted children feeling that they didn’t receive the support they needed at school. (Conclusion, Paragraph 92)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of supporting adopted children, highlighting its commitment to the £50 million Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), which is confirmed until 2026-27, and an £8.8 million investment in Adoption England for new support plans.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Supporting adopted children to thrive is a key government priority. We remain committed to providing high-quality adoption support from the point of placement and throughout childhood. The £50 million Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) continues to offer vital services, and we will monitor the impact of recent changes to funding limits, engaging with stakeholders to discuss options for the future. We have now confirmed that the ASGSF will continue for 2026–27 (see ASGSF Written Statement–4 September 2025) and will provide further details later this autumn. While future funding decisions are subject to the Department’s business planning processes, we recognise the importance of stability and transparency for families. In addition to the ASGSF, we have invested £8.8 million in Adoption England to strengthen local support, including the rollout of a new Adoption Support Plan and early support framework. These measures aim to ensure families receive tailored, timely support based on assessed needs.