Adoption England, facilitated by the Institute of Public Care, has hosted two Theory of Change workshops in London, two days of collaboration, reflection and shared commitment to improving outcomes for adopted children and their families.

Day one focused on how adoptive families access children’s social care and universal services. Participants explored how systems and pathways can be strengthened to ensure support is timely, coordinated and sensitive to the specific needs of adoptive families. Discussions highlighted the importance of visibility, planning and consistency, as well as the value of joined-up working across services to ensure no family falls through the gaps.

Day two turned to the education system and the experiences of adopted children and young people in schools and colleges. The session began with compelling evidence of the need for change and improvement, leading to in-depth discussion on how to better support transitions, strengthen planning for adopted pupils, and improve understanding of their needs. Delegates also explored how building a stronger evidence base can help identify what works and measure real impact for children and families.

Across both days, the workshops brought together a diverse mix of professionals and lived-experience voices, including colleagues from education, local authorities, health, Ofsted, the Department for Education, adoption services, and those with direct experience of adoption. The conversations were constructive, forward-looking and rooted in the collective expertise and commitment of everyone in the room.

We were also pleased to welcome Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families, who joined at the close of day two to hear directly from participants about the key themes emerging from the discussions and the next steps required to create real and lasting change.

Emma Holroyd, Project Manager at Adoption England, said:

“The conversations at the workshops were rich, insightful and deeply rooted in the collective expertise everyone brought to the table. As we move forward, we’re focused on turning that energy into action, building on the momentum and continuing the connections made during these sessions.”

These Theory of Change workshops represent an important milestone in shaping a shared national vision for change,  one that strengthens understanding, consistency and support for adopted children and their families across education, health and social care.