About us
Adoption Matters is a children’s charity and one of the largest voluntary adoption agencies in the UK. We recruit, train and support individuals, couples and families looking to adopt and offer ongoing support and training.
At Adoption Matters, we know that adoption is not the end of the journey — it’s just the beginning. That’s why we offer long-term therapeutic support through our Centre for Fostering and Adoption Support (CFAS) and Therapy Service, helping children overcome trauma and giving families the tools to thrive together.
Much of this support is currently funded by the Government’s Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). You may have heard the recent announcement from DFE that they have decided to massively cut the amount of funding available per child by reducing the cap to £3,000 from the previous £5,000 per child each year. They have also removed the additional support of up to £2,500 per child for specialist assessments, meaning this cost for these will have to be taken from the already reduced pot which was designed to provide essential therapies to children.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, thanks to this fund, we were able to deliver:
- 🧠 230 therapy service contracts
- ❤️ 163 CFAS support packages
- 🎧 101 sensory therapy packages
The Crisis We’re Facing
The ASGSF was due to end in March 2025. After months of uncertainty, the Government announced it would continue and it is now open for applications, however we have been told that the new cap and rules apply immediately and that any applications they received before the fund closed in March will have to be resubmitted to meet the new requirements.
These cuts and the delay puts hundreds of families at risk.
Without immediate access to funding, children may be forced to pause life-changing therapy — jeopardising their progress, their wellbeing, and even the stability of their adoption placements. The reduced funding cap will also reduce the amount of support available to children, leaving many families struggling.
As a charity, we don’t receive this ASGSF funding directly. We rely on applications through Regional Adoption Agencies, and right now, the backlog and delays are overwhelming.
What Your Donation Will Do
We urgently need to raise £50,000 to bridge this funding gap and ensure families can continue receiving the support they need.
100% of your donation will go directly to:
- Funding therapy sessions for children and families
- Preventing emotional and developmental setbacks for children
- Supporting families at risk of breakdown due to lack of services
The target of £50,000 will guarantee that we can continue to plug the gap in support for our families who need it most.
Thank you for your generosity. Please do share this Crowdfunder with your own contacts to help us reach our target