Webinar: An overview of the adoption and special guardianship support fund
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Who is this webinar for?
This webinar is open to kinship carers living in England.
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced important changes to the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) for the year 2025-2026. These changes will have implications for how the fund operates. The aim of this webinar is to provide clarity and guidance on what these changes could mean for:
- existing users
- current applications
- future applicants
You might find this webinar helpful if you:
- would like to understand what the ASGSF is and how it can support your young person
- are currently receiving support from the fund and want to know how the changes may impact your situation
- are interested in the ASGSF and want to find out whether you’re eligible and what the fund can be used for
What will be covered?
In this webinar, you’ll learn:
- what the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) is and what it can be used for
- who is eligible for the fund and how to access it
- common challenges and things to be aware of when accessing the fund
- changes being made to the fund from April 2025 to March 2026
- what the changes mean for applications already submitted
- what you can do to support the campaign to challenge these changes
We will also hold a 15-minute Q&A session at the end of the webinar to answer any other questions you may have.
Our friendly facilitators, who have knowledge, expertise, and lived experience of kinship care, will explain everything clearly and in an engaging way.
After the webinar, you’ll receive the presentation slides and additional resources by email, along with a short feedback survey.
How to join the webinar
This webinar will be held online using a free platform called Zoom.
You can access Zoom through a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or even your phone. You may need to download Zoom before you join – please factor in time to do that. The best experience will be through a computer or laptop. Watch a video on how to join a Zoom meeting.
To join the webinar, click on the Zoom link in the email we sent you.
Please make sure you:
- join on time – late joiners might not be admitted after 15 minutes
- have a pen/pencil and paper to make notes
What happens if you need to cancel your place?
We understand that life gets in the way sometimes, so if you need to cancel your place please do try and let us know as soon as possible.
You’ll be able to do this through:
- the email confirmation you received when you first booked
- or by filling out our training and support enquiries and complaints form
Who’s running this webinar?
The webinar is run by our Kinship team.
About Chris
Chris joined Kinship after nearly 30 years of working with children and families in various settings. Most recently, she worked as a Therapeutic Parenting Consultant for an Independent Fostering Agency. In addition to Chris’ professional experience, she is a kinship carer who understands the challenges and benefits of kinship care. Together with her partner, Chris is a special guardian for their 10-year-old granddaughter, who has lived with them since she was 4. This experience has provided valuable insights into the kinship care journey. Music plays a big role in Chris’ life. She is a ‘non-singing’ member of an LGBT+ choir in Sussex and DJs at 70s and 80s nights. Chris is excited to meet as many kinship carers as possible to share her skills and experiences while learning from others.
About Julie
Julie is an experienced online training facilitator who has worked with families and children for many years, the last 5 years here at Kinship. She uses her experience and knowledge to support kinship families with valuable training, always looking for ways to improve what is available. Outside of work, Julie stays busy. She loves music and has been a huge fan of para-athletics since the London 2012 Olympics, often attending events. When relaxing, she enjoys reading novels or walking on her favourite beach in Norfolk.
About Sam
Sam is Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Kinship and leads our work to develop evidence-based positions and recommendations rooted in the expertise of kinship carers, and to influence policymakers to deliver these changes to policy and practice. Sam is based in and passionate about the north east of England, and likes to spend time exploring the best landscapes the region has to offer.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other event, our team can help. Just fill in our training and support enquiries and complaints form and someone will get back to you.
Did you know we run workshops and events for kinship carers all over England? Browse our upcoming workshops and events now.
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