Adoptive parent Lucia said she’s “angry that the army of adopters across the country do not get the recognition or support they need”.
She wants the government to recognise that families need immediate, consistent and continued support rather than when they have reached crisis point.
“I think we need mental health support, financial support, support with the education system and it should be post-adoption support and predicated on the assumption that you will need all of those – and you can opt out if you don’t need it,” she said.
MacAlister said that “for too long” the current system had focused on “late-stage crisis intervention rather than getting in early with support without judging you.”
He added that he had increased the budget for the Adoption Support Fund in England by 10% this year “so more families can get support”, despite it being cut in 2025.
The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) provides government money for therapeutic treatment.
Jackie, a parent to two children who have been with her for eight years, says she wasn’t “prepared for what was to come” when she adopted, despite being a trained psychotherapist and having worked with Childline.
She is aware of the ASGSF but she says it’s “not really a support fund – it’s a small amount of money that can be used for a small amount of support throughout the year”.
MacAlister recognised that it is “challenging to get money” from the fund and it’s only a short-term support system.
“We need to get to the point where families don’t get to this point,” he said.