Connecting policy with practice to create lasting support for adoptive families.
As National Adoption Week draws to a close, we’re turning our attention to connection at the system level – the policies and decisions that shape how families are supported.
At Gateway Psychology, we see first-hand how the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) changes lives. It allows children and young people who have experienced early adversity to access the therapeutic support they need, and helps adoptive parents and special guardians sustain relationships through the most challenging times.
The importance of connection in decision-making
Good policy grows from connection: from listening carefully to the people who deliver and use services. When government departments, local authorities, clinicians and families are in conversation, the result is usually policy that is practical, stable and rooted in real experience.
This year, however, many in the adoption community have felt disconnected from the process. The reduction in ASGSF funding and the lack of consultation surrounding it have created uncertainty for services and families alike. Some families are now waiting longer for support or finding that support has become more limited. Professionals have had to pause or reshape planned interventions, and children are missing out on continuity of care.
The impact of reduced and uncertain funding
Therapeutic support works best when it is consistent and predictable. Children who have experienced trauma need relationships and systems they can rely on. Sudden changes in funding interrupt that stability. They also place added pressure on parents and carers who are already managing complex needs and emotional demands.
For professionals, reduced funding can mean fewer opportunities to collaborate, share learning and build the joined-up care that families need. It can also make it harder for services like ours to plan sustainably.
Add Your Signature: An Open Letter to Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families
Action Against ASGSF Changes have written a thoughtful open letter to the government. Follow the link to add your signature to advocate for a reversal of recent changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.
A call for connected decision-making
We know that government has difficult choices to make, but we would encourage decision-makers to stay connected with the people most affected by these policies.
Listening to adoptive parents, special guardians, clinicians and regional adoption agencies would provide valuable insight into what is working, what could be improved, and what support truly makes a difference.
Connection in policy isn’t about agreeing on everything. It’s about understanding perspectives, valuing expertise and keeping children’s wellbeing at the centre of every discussion. When decisions are made through consultation and collaboration, they are more likely to build trust, stability and long-term impact.
Looking ahead
At Gateway Psychology, we remain committed to partnership working: with families, professionals, local authorities and national bodies. We continue to see the difference that consistent, well-funded therapeutic support makes every day.
As the future of the ASGSF is being considered, we hope that connection will guide the process. Policies shaped through genuine dialogue and shared understanding are the ones that last and the ones that best support children, families and the professionals who walk alongside them.