04/02/2026
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Hot off the press! What are your thoughts?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-routes-exploring-the-needs-and-experiences-of-young-people
This report presents findings from the first wave of the Family Routes study,
commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) The study was designed to explore the needs, experiences, and outcomes of young people (aged 12–25) growing up in adoptive
and special guardianship families in England, to improve understanding of long-term
outcomes and inform policy and practice.
This research was conducted prior to any cuts to the ASGSF and does not include children under the age of 12.
Among the recommendations (page 100-102) of this study, commissioned by the government, state that families need:
⚫️ To be listened to when seeking help. Evidence from this study and others shows
that many adopted and special guardianship young people need additional
support to thrive. Nevertheless, families often felt dismissed when they try to seek
help, leading to delays and increased strain on adoptive parents and special
guardians.
⚫️ Improved access to mental health support and therapies, throughout childhood and adolescence. The complexity of needs associated with multiple risk
exposures, both in-vitro and in early childhood, should not be a barrier to
accessing effective help. CAMHS and therapeutic support providers must have a
good understanding of the specific contexts and needs of adopted and special
guardianship young people. The ASGSF is an essential route to this support and
should be retained and promoted, particularly to special guardians.
Support for the ASGSF keeps coming, even from within government commissioned research but will the government listen? Department for Education
We are still waiting to hear plans for 26/27 and for consultation. These repeated delays will cause harm to children, young people and their families.