Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund therapeutic support funding on adoption placement stability.
Answered by Josh MacAlister
The department keeps the effectiveness of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) under continual review. The latest evaluation found strong evidence of positive impact. 83% of parents and guardians reported that ASGSF funded support was helpful or very helpful, and there were statistically significant improvements in outcomes reported by children and families by the end of the intervention. Families also reported an average score of 7 out of 10 six months after support ended. Outcome Measurement Tools are now strengthening our ability to assess therapeutic progress and longer-term impacts.
In the 2026/27 financial year, the overall budget for the ASGSF has been increased by 10% to £55 million, further ensuring support can be provided for those who require it.
Recognising both the positive benefits of the ASGSF and the need to ensure that support for adopted and permanently placed children is as effective as possible, it was announced in February the continuation of the ASGSF to 2028 (the end of the Spending Review period).
The department is currently undertaking analysis from the public consultation regarding wider adoption support, including the ASGSF, which has recently completed. This included seeking information from relevant stakeholders on what support is effective, as well as providing value for money.
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