Minister for Children and Families (): Many children who have been
adopted or are in kinship care have faced difficulties in their
early life which mean they cannot live with their birth parents.
These experiences place them at greater risk of serious mental
health challenges compared to their peers. I am clear that the
Government has a responsibility to those children and I am
determined that we meet it.
To support these vulnerable children and their families, the
Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) provides
funding to local authorities and regional adoption agencies
(RAAs) for therapeutic services. This funding has so far helped
over 54,000 children access the support they need, strengthened
family relationships, and helped to prevent family breakdown.
Family security is a key priority for this government in its
mission to break down barriers to opportunity.
Therefore, I am pleased to confirm that applications to the ASGSF
that run into the next financial year (2026-27) can now be made,
as part of a further continuation of the scheme next financial
year, of which full details will be set out shortly.
I hope today's announcement offers families the clarity and
reassurance they need to plan for their children's ongoing
support. I also trust it provides sector representatives with
some reassurance to enable them to continue delivering services.
After a decade of support, we are also looking to review the
delivery of the ASGSF to ensure we continue in the most effective
and sustainable way. The need for support is clear, which is why
we are determined to ensure that effective services are reaching
children and families as efficiently as possible.
Looking ahead, in the new year, the Department for Education will
launch a public engagement process to better understand how well
the fund is working, what the evidence tells us or what further
evidence is required, and importantly what is working well for
families and why.
My officials and I look forward to working collaboratively with
children, families, and sector representatives placing the needs
and voices of children at the heart of everything we do.
