Chrysalis Associates

All children have the right to thrive, no matter their start in life. Governments cuts to a lifeline fund have had a devastating impact on some of the most vulnerable children and young adults in England. Join us and Anna Maxwell Martin in calling for the government to reverse all cuts made to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. We are still waiting for a date to meet with The Minister for Children and Families, @JoshMacAlister We have a date to meet with the @educationgovuk (DfE) team managing the ASGSF. In the meantime we have written this open letter, link below: asgsfprotest.com/add-your-si… Please sign our open letter to Josh MacAlister, share this post and encourage others to sign and share. Parliament is back in session tomorrow, 13th October, let’s remind the government we aren’t going anywhere. We are stronger together. The government must listen. #fundnoworpaylater #ACutTooFar #asgsf #adoptionsupport #carenotcuts

Adoption UK’s newly published Adoption Barometer for England highlights the vital impact of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). More families than ever are facing severe challenges or crisis: 42% in 2024, up from 38% in 2023. 44% accessed ASGSF-funded support. Of these, 85% said it had a positive impact on their family, and 94% stated that they would be likely to seek further ASGSF-funded support. In contrast, only 65% of those who received enhanced support from any source (including ASGSF) said it had a positive impact. Compelling data, gathered before the government slashed the fund. It’s clear that the ASGSF isn’t just another support option. It’s a proven, essential resource that we can’t afford to lose. @AdoptionUK @JoshMacAlister adoptionuk.org/the-adoption-… #fundnoworpaylater #ACutTooFar #adoptionsupport #asgsf #carenotcuts

Thanks to @munirawilson for her continued advocacy. The Government must commit to an independent, thorough and transparent consultation with children, their families and the sector. They must restore the previous Adoption and Special Guardianship (#ASGSF) fair access limit, the separate assessment fund and match funding. They must commit to a permanent fund at a level sufficient to meet the demand; A level sufficient for children and young people to access the right level of therapy at the right time. #fundnoworpaylater #ACutTooFar #asgsf #carenotcuts fb.watch/BlwaJHyNYC/

We support every word of this statement from CASA (Consortium of Adoption Support Agencies). @CASAadoption casa-uk.org/casa-provider-re… The Government must listen to all those calling for an urgent review and reversal of the cuts to the ASGSF. They must also listen to the warnings against Adoption Englands plans for reform.

This is an important read. An analysis of the risks of a devolved ASGSF from the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) @CVAA_UK cvaa.org.uk/blog-a-devolved-… **Response from Action Against ASGSF Changes Organisations and charities like @AdoptionUK have now warned against devolvement of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. Our campaign group agrees that a devolved fund is a bad idea. It risks too much. The evidence used to support Adoption England’s idea of a devolved Fund is weak and far from rigorous. With so many warning against a devolved #ASGSF, why is the government ignoring us all? And to what end? **Why the government should listen when organisations like the CVAA speak up The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) represent 27 NOT FOR PROFIT voluntary adoption agencies all of whom are rated OFSTED good or outstanding. Member agencies are responsible for approximately 20% of all adoptions that take place each year. 80% of the children placed through VAAs are children that typically wait longer to be adopted. In the year 23/24 VAAs provided: *16,000 hours of therapy and support to adoptive parents. *9,000 hours of therapy to adopted children. This is through a mixture of ASGSF funded support and funds raised through other means including charitable. Figures show that VAAs budgeted on average £372,000 per agency for the year 25/26 for adoption support IN ADDITION to provision offered through the ASGSF. They have shown innovation and developed practice in the adoption arena. And they do better at supporting people who are LGBTQ+ and from diverse backgrounds to adopt with far higher rates than regional adoption agencies (RAAs). Prospective adoptive parents have the option to choose the adoption agency that suits them and their circumstances. Prospective parents can (and should) scrutinise the post adoption support on offer. @JanetDaby, Minister for Children and Families said in her letter to Adoption England, dated 3rd April 2025, that she wanted to see RAAs collaborating across regions and working more closely with Voluntary Adoption Agencies (VAAs), with a strong emphasis on innovation and best practice. As parents we must scrutinise whether Adoption England and the government are ensuring this is happening in a meaningful way. We have our doubts given their current deeds and words. It is clear that there is huge value in the work that VAAs undertake. They are essential to the overall adoption sector. What would happen if they were undermined and pushed out? The government must listen to CVAA. They know the sector and know the work. We must keep pushing the government to listen to us all. #fundnoworpaylater #ACutTooFar #asgsf #carenotcuts

PARENT/CARER SURVEY forms.gle/sSKwqjeDEmVXQksv9 How have the delays, changes and cuts to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) impacted your children and your family? What does the future hold? This is a chance to have your say. Deadline is Monday 21st July but the sooner you complete it the better as it will inform ongoing discussions between our campaign and the sector. We will be feeding these results back across the sector and of course to you all. The more of you that complete it, the more meaningful the data. It should take you 5-10 minutes to complete and it could really inform the way forward. Please do share with any parent/carer what’s app groups, Facebook and social media groups. Email it to those you know have been affected but don’t use social media etc etc. PROVIDERS: It would also be great if you can share this with all of the families you see, via newsletters, websites, mailing lists and so on. #ACutTooFar #asgsf #fundnoworpaylater #carenotcuts