Adoption
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the continued need for individual, trauma‑informed 1‑to‑1 therapeutic support for adoptive and special guardianship families; whether the national transition programme will continue to fund such support; and how the Department plans to ensure that families with complex relational needs retain access to bespoke therapeutic interventions alongside any new universal or group‑based offers.
Answered by Josh MacAlister
Through the ‘Adoption Support That Works for All’ consultation, launched on 10 February 2026, the department is seeking views on the future mix of support for adoptive and special guardianship families, including the ongoing role of specialist therapeutic interventions. Responses to the consultation will inform our assessment of future provision.
The consultation features a call for evidence, asking respondents to tell us what works for those children who need additional support. We want to build the evidence base on what works for adopted children and their families, to ensure we are making the biggest difference possible. Decisions on these issues will be determined following the analysis of consultation responses.
The department recognises that many adoptive families require more intensive therapeutic support. That is why we have extended the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund and increased funding by 10% to increase access.
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