Local MP urges action to secure future support for adoptive families

Today, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, pressed the Minister on the impact of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) in ensuring adoptions can continue. He also called for this information to be made publicly available. 

Tom’s question follows the government’s last-minute decision to extend the ASGSF for another year. The fund is a lifeline for families, offering crucial financial and practical support to prevent adoption breakdowns. Much of its work helps children who have experienced significant trauma, and without it, many families would struggle to cope. 

While Tom and his Liberal Democrat colleagues welcome the extension, they are frustrated by the government’s failure to confirm it sooner, despite knowing the fund was due to expire at the end of March. The uncertainty caused therapy provisions for thousands of children to be suspended, new applications to be put on hold, and families to be left in limbo. 

Much of the progress in securing this funding is thanks to the efforts of Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education. For weeks, she has been pushing the government to act – raising the issue in Prime Minister’s Questions last week and today, forcing Ministers to address it head-on by securing an Urgent Question in Parliament. Her persistence left the government with no choice but to extend the fund for another year, securing £50 million in vital support for adoptive families. 

Building on the work of his colleague Munira, today, Tom emphasised the issues surrounding adoption breakdown and the critical role of the ASGSF in keeping adoptions stable. He urged Ministers to prevent future delays and uncertainty by committing to a long-term funding plan that would give families the security they need. 

Tom also asked for any information on the impact of this fund on adoptions to be made public. Currently, there is little data available on the impact this fund has on adoptive families and why adoptions are breaking down. As Tom has highlighted, without a clear understanding on the issue, the government cannot properly assess the effectiveness of current policies or plan for improvements. 

On Thursday, Tom will continue pushing for greater support for adoptive families when he leads an adjournment debate on adoption breakdown in Parliament. 

Commenting, Tom said: 

‘While I am of course pleased that the government has committed to extending the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, it is deeply frustrating that the government waited until after the funding had already lapsed to act. 

‘Many families see ASGSF funded therapy as a lifeline. The government must properly assess the fund’s impact and commit to securing its future, so families are never left in this position again.

‘Thanks to Munira Wilson and the Liberal Democrat’s pressure, the government was forced to act. But we must go further. We need to ensure long-term certainty for adoptive families and prevent adoption breakdowns That starts with gathering proper data and making informed decisions about what works and what must change.’ 

ENDS