Kinship responds to government announcement on reform of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF)

Today, the government set out reforms to support for children who are adopted or in kinship care, in new consultation “Adoption support that works for all.” This includes the future operation of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF).

Whilst we welcome the long-awaited opportunity for kinship carers and their children to shape the future of the ASGSF, it is deeply problematic that some kinship families are once again being pushed into systems designed with other families in mind.

The government’s proposals for reform to an “adoption and kinship support system” fail to consider the unique needs, strengths and experiences of kinship families and how they might differ from those of adoptive families. This undermines the valuable experiences and expertise of both groups.

It’s good to see confirmation of an extended and uplifted ASGSF until March 2028, and a plan to improve its delivery alongside other wider support at key moments. But there was a significant opportunity the government has wasted to meaningfully consider how support needs and delivery mechanisms may be different between adoptive and kinship families.

The current system is failing too many children in kinship care. Right now, kinship families are still battling to access therapeutic support that is essential for helping children recover from the trauma and adversity many have experienced before entering kinship care. There is a significant risk that failing to meet the needs of children in kinship care will have devastating consequences in terms of placement breakdown. 13% of kinship carers have told us they are concerned they may not be able to continue caring for their kinship child – citing managing children’s social, emotional and mental health challenges as the number one reason for this (71% of those who are concerned).

This support would be a lifeline if it were genuinely accessible, yet too many kinship families are navigating a system that isn’t tailored to their needs. It is deeply disappointing that the government has failed to consider the different needs of kinship and adoptive families and reflect on the evidence and insights about how to meet these needs through specialist interventions, shaped for and by these communities.

The government must now listen to children in kinship care and kinship carers, ensuring they can share their experiences directly and play a central role in co-creating a new approach – one that finally delivers the therapeutic support every child in kinship care needs and deserves. We will be working closely with kinship carers to ensure their voices, experience and needs are heard as part of this consultation.

To support kinship carers to respond, we have created a step-by-step guide which goes through the purpose of this consultation and how best to take part. We have also summarised which questions are more relevant for kinship carers to focus on.