"As always, I very much welcome the findings of Adoption UK's Barometer Report, which provides valid and crucial insight into the realities for adopted people and adoptive parents. Adoption England is committed to improving adoption for all adoptive children and their families, and it is clear from those who responded to this survey that there are significant challenges. Regional Adoption Agency staff work hard and are committed to supporting families with the resources that are available to them. 

"We are on a journey of cultural change to modernise adoption to better meet the needs of adopted families. It is therefore encouraging to see an increase in early permanence to prevent moves in care for children, and more openness around adoption with core adoption support provision improving. However, there are fundamental issues regarding universal education and health provision that the government is seeking to address, which impact more on adoptive families as many adopted children continue to have additional needs that require support throughout their life.

"In response to the conclusion that the system "frontloads attention on finding adoptive families for children but then neglects the long-term support most adoptees need to thrive once adopted", I am clear that adoption support remains a priority for Adoption England and regional adoption agencies. There continues to be increasing demand on regional adoption agencies for adoption support, and whilst 11 per cent of funding from the DfE this financial year is allocated to adopter recruitment, over 60 per cent is specifically dedicated to adoption support. As set out in our latest Annual Report, this funding is being used to increase support to adoptive families, train practitioners to ensure the right professional support is in place, develop multi-disciplinary approaches to adoption support, and improve the commissioning of adoption support provision to meet the needs of families. All our work is developed in collaboration with people who have lived experience either as adoptees, adopters or birth families, as well as regional and voluntary adoption agencies.

"Support to adopted adults needs to improve. Adoption England has worked with adopted adults and the sector to issue revised practice guidance around access to records and intermediary services, and has made several recommendations to the DfE to make legislative changes to improve support for adopted adults. We have also commissioned PAC-UK to support adopted people and birth relatives with accessing their records. This service provides a free intermediary service for those adopted prior to 1976. Whilst this is a key area of focus for Adoption England, there are challenges about how much can be achieved without additional resources to undertake this important work.

"The reduced fair access limit and uncertainty of the future of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, is a serious concern for many adoptive families and the sector. I look forward to discussions with the DfE and colleagues across the sector to ensure the therapeutic support that families need to improve outcomes for children is delivered in an effective and sustainable way for the longer term."

Sarah Johal MBE, Adoption England's National Adoption Strategic Lead