On 14th April 2025, Westminster government announced a 40% cut in the amount available per child per year from the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). Separate funding for specialist assessments and match funding have been dropped entirely. In the face of the dire negative impact this will have on families, Beacon Family Services will continue to offer free and fully funded therapeutic support to adoptive families and kinship families.

Sign the petition in support of consultation on the ASGSF changes

Sign the petition and join the protest march on Saturday 3rd May

From our CEO Charlotte Jenkins: “The recent shift in the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) feels different. It’s not just a policy change. It’s more like a climate crisis than a seasonal change. Without warning, families were left with no idea whether therapy would continue. Two weeks later, a reduced budget was announced: 40% less funding per child, and the loss of specialist assessment and match funding for the most complex cases. A one-size-fits-all model replaces the tailored support so many relied on.

As providers, we’ve spent the last year gathering data for the Department for Education demonstrating the positive outcomes of this support. But this service redesign came with no consultation, no transparency, and no learning shared from our collective efforts.

This is about more than money. It’s about values. About whether we truly honour the commitment made to children and families when adoption or kinship care is chosen. Like Adoption UK, I believe now is the time for a full, sector-wide consultation on how we deliver sustainable, individualised support that reflects the real needs of families.”

Sign the petition

Without access to specialist therapy, adoptive families face substantial challenges.

Access to meaningfully therapeutic support throughout a child’s growing-up years is essential to reducing the lifelong impact of early trauma. With such drastic funding cuts in play, families will be left waitin. Services will struggle to plan and deliver the best quality support. The funding cuts may be intended to provide the government with immediate financial relief, but the longterm costs to both government and vulnerable families will be huge.
Parenting children who have experienced early trauma requires consistency and often expert therapeutic interventions to help them heal and thrive. Lack of continuity of these services isn’t just inconvenient — it’s devastating. Families risk being pushed to breaking point, leaving parents feeling helpless and isolated as they watch their children struggle.

We will continue to provide therapeutic support to adoptive families

Whatever happens, our free resources and fully funded therapeutic groups will be available to adoptive, foster and kinship families, even if you have no access to further funding and support. Our range of therapeutic services is designed to nurture connection, understanding, and resilience. For those families who have no access to further funding and support at this time our offerings include:

Free use of the lumin&us® family wellbeing app

Our NHS-approved lumin&us® app was created during the pandemic to provide families of vulnerable children with immediate and cost-effective relief in supporting their child to feel safe, calm, and able to strengthen emotional bonds, empowering parents and reducing their sense of isolation in the face of circumstances beyond their control. With ASGS funding cuts in force, parents and practitioners are welcome to use the basic version of the app for free, and to use the premium version for free for two weeks with the code F42WKS.

In addition, parents and practitioners wishing to take part in our ongoing research trials with Gateway Psychology and the University of Birmingham have the opportunity to access the app for up to 12 months for free as part of our research trials.

Connect for Kids Theraplay® Groups in the West Midlands:

Creating strong parent-child bonds through playful, interactive sessions that foster security and trust.

Connect for Parents CCVAB Workshops:

These are Reflective Parenting Groups for those experiencing Childhood Challenging, Violent and Aggressive behaviour: Creating a safe space for parents to connect, share experiences, and develop effective strategies for managing family life.

Training for Professionals:

Equipping schools, social workers, and other professionals with the knowledge to support adoptive families effectively.

Upcoming support for adoptive families includes:

• Free access to a Not Fine In School Connect for Parents workshop with clinical psychologist Dr. Naomi Fisher in May 2025 – watch this space.
• We will also be inviting adoptive parents to participate in research trials providing free access to our lumin&us® app, which has been created for parents in collaboration with parents and therapists.

We support Adoption UK’s ASGSF campaign

At Beacon Family Services, we recognise the urgent need to ensure continuity of therapeutic support services for adoptive families. We support Adoption UK and colleagues across the sector in calling on the Department of Education to confirm the future of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Fund without delay.

We fully support Adoption UK’s efforts to amplify the voices of adoptive families and raise awareness of the critical role therapeutic support plays in keeping these families together and thriving.

Adoptive families need and deserve funding and recognition.

At Beacon Family Services, we understand that the uncertainty surrounding the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund may be causing concern for many families. Please know that you are not alone. We remain committed to standing beside you, ensuring that vital support continues.

We will keep working tirelessly to secure the funding and recognition that adoptive and kinship families deserve.

Through advocacy, collaboration, and sharing the voices of those affected, we will push for lasting solutions.

Further support for parents

If you or someone you know is struggling with family relationships, Beacon Family Services can help. We provide a range of therapies and resources to support parents, children and families including our Connect For Kids Theraplay® group and parent workshops on a variety of topics, as well as access to peer support groups.

For further support, and to see our latest parent events and services, please visit the Families hub.

You can also explore our resources for instant support, including newsletters, online support groups, and much more. You can also read further insights and tips from qualified therapists and professionals on our blog.

We work with organisations, professionals, schools, and charities.

We provide training to use our resources with families and in schools. We partner with professionals, commissioners and organisations to provide in person and online support for families, professional development and training and support and supervision.