NEWS
The APPGAP responds to Government Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan
03/03/2023 The Government has published its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan and can be viewed here. The APPG submission to the SEND Review (July 2022) can be viewed here. You can read the APPG for Adoption and Permeance response here.
The APPGAP responds to Government implementation strategy following care review
02/02/2023 The government has published its Children’s Social Care Implementation Strategy with promises to transform the current care system to focus more early support and intervention. The new strategy, titled, ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’ can be found here. You can read the APPG Adoption and Permeance responce here: press release.
The APPGAP hears evidence from self-employed adopters and survey
02/11/2022 - The APPG met in Westminster for its AGM and meeting, attended by parliamentarians, the sector and members of the adoption community. The group heard the results of the Call for Evidence from self-employed adopters and the impact a lack of paid leave is having on families. Read the press release here. The write up of the survey is available here.
APPGAP launches Call for Evidence from self-employed adopters
01/09/2022 - The APPG on Adoption and Permanence has today launched a short Call for Evidence to gain further insight into the impact a lack of employment leave and pay entitlements has on adopters who are self employed. Read the Press Release here. You can also access the survey here.
The SEND Review
29/03/2022 - The Government published a green paper about changes they want made to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) system in England, alongside a consultation. You can read the APPG Adoption and Permanence response to this here.
The Children’s Social Care Review: A call for a radical reset
14/06/2022 - On Monday 23 May 2022, the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care published their final report and recommendations. The APPG for Adoption and Permanence (APPGAP) welcomes the ambition set out in the 278-page report to reform a broken care system.
The APPGAP welcomes the extension of the Adoption Support Fund for another three years
04/02/2022 - This week, the Department for Education has confirmed the extension of the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) for another three years until 2025. As yet, no further details have been provided as to the size of the fund or any changes in the way it will operate.
APPGAP launches new ‘Strengthening Families’ report
13/09/2021 - The APPG for Adoption and Permanence has today published a new report calling for a significant shift in thinking about the adoption system in order to provide better support for some of England’s most vulnerable children.
Strengthening Families: New Inquiry Launched by the APPG for Adoption and Permanence
26/03/2021 - The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Adoption and Permanence has opened a new inquiry on Strengthening Families in response to the recent commencement of the independent Review of Children’s Social Care in England.
Vital support for vulnerable families secured for another year
15/01/2021 - Adoptive and special guardianship families in England have been granted access to vital support for another year following the Government’s extension of the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) until March 2022.
APPGAP responds to Department for Education Consultation on Coronavirus Regulations
18/08/2020 - In response to evidence provided to the APPG for Adoption and Permanence at a recent one-off session, the APPG has submitted evidence to a consultation issued by the Department for Education regarding the Adoption and Children’s (Coronavirus) (Amendments) Regulations issued during the pandemic.
Covid-19: The impact on children waiting for adoption
18/08/2020 - On Tuesday 14 July 2020, the APPG for Adoption and Permanence held its second one-off session looking at the impact of Covid-19 on adoptive families and children placed in other permanence arrangements. While the first session focused on education and the transition back to school for families, this session focused on a very different part of the system; that is, the flow of families stepping forward and being available to children waiting to be adopted.
The Adoption Support Fund during the Coronavirus pandemic
18/08/2020 - The Adoption Support Fund (ASF) provides an invaluable source of therapeutic funding for adoptive and some special guardianship families in England. As an APPG, we conducted an inquiry in 2019 which considered the impact that the fund has had on children and their families.
The APPG for Adoption and Permanence is back!
18/08/2020 - After a postponed AGM and subsequent short hiatus due to Covid-19, the APPG for Adoption and Permanence was re-launched on 30 June 2020. During its first virtual AGM and election of officers, the group welcomed back Rachael Maskell MP as its Chair with Lord Russell of Liverpool staying on as an active Officer and Christian Wakeford MP and Peter Gibson MP joining as new Officers
Support fund for adoptive families to receive £5m
03/02/2020 - The APPG for Adoption and Permanence is support for adoptive families in England is to be extra £5 million next year - but the group warns a long-term commitment is still crucial.
Adoption Support Fund given short extension, but Parliamentarians call for longer-term guarantee of support for families caring for vulnerable children
The APPG for Adoption and Permanence welcomes the announcement yesterday as part of National Adoption Week that the Government will be extending the Adoption Support Fund until March 2021.
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APPGAP responds to parliamentary inquiry
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Adoption and Permanence (APPGAP) has responded to a parliamentary inquiry into the children’s social care workforce in England. he Education Select Committee is gathering views on “what is needed from social work, and by social workers, to ensure that children and their families are given the best possible help and protection”.
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APPGAP launches its Investing in Families report
Monday, 15th July marked the launch event of APPGAP’s Investing in Families: the Adoption Support Fund beyond 2020 report. The event, which took place
at Portcullis House, Westminster, was opened by Sue Armstrong-Brown, the chief executive of Adoption UK, who stood in for the group’s chair Rachel Maskell.
Government to consider APPGAP recommendations in autumn Spending Review
The Department for Education will consider the recommendations made by APPGAP in its recent Investing in Families report as part of the forthcoming Spending Review. The report included half a dozen recommendations designed to improve how the fund works for families. who stood in for the group’s chair
Next Prime Minister urged to pledge long-term support for traumatised children
APPGAP calling on the next Prime Minister to make a ten-year commitment to funding vital support services for adoptive and special guardianship families, up until 2030.
The Government, to date, has invested nearly £150 million on the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) over the last five years, providing therapeutic services for thousands of children and their families.
appgap opens inquiry into the future of adoption support
APPGAP has opened an inquiry into the future of post-adoption support in England. The inquiry will consider the running of the ASF so far and is expected to call on the government to make a long-term commitment to funding therapeutic support for adoptive families.
Politicians call for protection of vital adoption support
A cross-party group of MPs and Peers, launched this week, will push for change to ensure adoptive children and families receive the support they need. The new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Adoption & Permanence will be chaired by Rachael Maskell MP.