CVAA UK

Join our next expert-led training with @katiewrench.bsky.social for #adoptionpractitioners

A Framework for Therapeutic Life Story Work in Adoption: Building Safety into Difficult Conversations

Secure your place: bit.ly/4l4DjsC

Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund: no reversal of therapy funding cuts as DfE signals end to scheme in 2028 - Community Care Government increases ASGSF budget for 2026-27 by 10% but fails to unwind reductions in funding limits for therapy

Our CEO Satwinder Sandhu highlights concerns over the new ASGSF reforms: universal early intervention is established, but high-level, timely support for adoptive families is missing. Adoption UK warns devolving the Fund may reduce consistency & accountability. Read below: bit.ly/3MMCoAh

🍴 Make your lunch hour work smarter.

Curious about #adoption and #AI but not sure where to start?
Join our 1-hour Short & Smart session on using AI (Magic Notes) to cut admin, improve meetings & free time for children and families.

🗓 Thu 5 Feb | 12–1pm
👉 bit.ly/3LR9H4V

January’s nearly done 👀✨
Here’s what’s coming up in our Feb–Mar Practice Programme!

Expert-led training, practical learning, and plenty to get involved in.

👉 Explore the full programme & book your place:
bit.ly/45Jh3NQ

The annual Adoption Barometer Survey is live.
Your voice is needed now more than ever.
Closes 9th February.
Complete The Adoption Barometer 2026 survey here > https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AdoptionBarometer2026
Find out more about The Adoption Barometer > www.adoptionuk.org/the-adoption-barometer

An Outstanding Ofsted result from one of our valued members @familyfuturesuk.bsky.social. A huge congratulations to all staff for the 5th Outstanding inspection in a row👏🎉

This Wednesday is #BigAdoptionDay 🙌

#AdoptionMatters will be joining Voluntary Adoption Agencies (VAA's) across the UK in highlighting the work that we do to find loving adoptive families for children waiting to be placed.

🧡 Learn more: buff.ly/hoMEnnU

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#Adoption #Adopt

Charities urge DfE to consult fairly on adoption support reforms - CYP Now Charities are urging the Department for Education to make “no decisions about future reform” of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) until a forthcoming public consultation has b...

Grateful to CYP Now for covering our paper with Adoption UK, Kinship, Barnardo's, Coram & CoramBAAF, shaping the gov’s public engagement on #ASGSF. As CEO Satwinder Sandhu notes, the commitment is welcome—the test is in the delivery. Read below: www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...

Thank you to everyone who has supported CVAA this past year — we truly appreciate it. Wishing you all a very happy festive season and we look forward to working with you in the year ahead 🎄✨

📌 Office closed from 5pm Tues 23 Dec 2025, reopening 9am Mon 5 Jan 2026.

Merry Christmas from all at CVAA!

🎄 Christmas has come early at CVAA! 🎄
As a festive thank-you to everyone who joined our Practice Programme this year, enjoy 25% off all CVAA training sessions up to March 2026.

✨ Use code XMAS25 at checkout
🎁 Offer ends Wednesday 31st Dec 2025

Explore sessions: bit.ly/45Jh3NQ

🚨 Last CVAA training of the year! 🚨
The Power of Perspective: Mentalization Tools for Adoption Matching
📅 11 Dec, 10:00–13:30 | 🎓 3.5 CPD | 💻 Online
With Dr Polly Cowan & Dr Alice Loving
£49 CVAA members, £59 CVAA Subscribers & £79 Non-members

👉 Book now: bit.ly/448C6JB

CVAA's November Training Sessions!

Nov 18: Free Short & Smart – Supporting Families with Disability Benefits
Nov 20: Intro to Theraplay: Healing Through Connection & Play
Nov 25: Blocked Care – Supporting Discouraged Adoptive Parents

✨ Book your spot today! bit.ly/45Jh3NQ

This #NationalAdoptionWeek, we’re backing the call for honest, open conversations about adoption—no “perfect” home required. In a tough year for adopters, dialogue matters more than ever. 💬💛

👉 Learn more about the campaign and events happening this week here: www.youcanadopt.co.uk/national-ado...

📣For a limited time we are offering 10% off this expert-led training on FASD only!

Just use code FASD10 when booking online via the link below 👇
#Adoption #Socialworkers #SocialCare #FASD #Adoptiveparents #Children

🍂 New Half-Day Training!

CVAA online: What Social Workers Need to Know When Assessing & Supporting Adoptive Parents with Children Affected by FASD – Told Through the Eyes of an Adopter

🗓 15 Oct 2025 | ⏰ 10:00–13:30 | 🎓 3.5 CPD hrs
💻 Online | with Joy Hopgood-Gravett

👉 Book now: bit.ly/48zeRvc

CVAA's Practice Programme 2026-27 Questionnaire (3 mins) Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

✨ It’s that time of year again! ✨
CVAA’s 2026–27 Practice Programme 3 min questionnaire is now open – and we want your input!
We’d love to hear:

🔹 Your experience this past year
🔹 Topics/experts you’d like to see
🔹 If your agency could run a session

📅 Closes end of Nov
👉 bit.ly/4nGi2pq

From left to right: Natausha van Vliet, Chief Executive at PACT; Emily Frith, Chief Executive Officer at Adoption UK; and Alice Talbot, Director of Strategy and Policy at CVAA UK standing in front of an Adoption UK pull up banner.

From left to right: Emily Frith, Chief Executive Officer at Adoption UK and Josh MacAlister MP standing in front of an Adoption UK pull up banner.

Great to join @adoptionuk.bsky.social at the 2025 Barometer launch yesterday. Valuable insights from Josh MacAlister MP who pledged to champion adopted children & families. Challenges still remain but CVAA looks forward to future discussions with the Minister to shape the future of adoption support.

Adoption Barometer The Adoption Barometer is the only UK-wide comprehensive stock-take of adoption. It's based on the findings of a large annual survey. It provides powerful evidence of the realities of adopting and bei...

The latest @adoptionuk.bsky.social #AdoptionBarometer is out. www.adoptionuk.org/the-adoption...

More than half of families with teens & young adults are facing severe challenges.

We back the recommendations esp. calls for permanent funding for therapeutic support, as part of a lifelong approach

🍂 This Oct, CVAA brings 3 expert-led online trainings (all half-day):
👩‍👦 Keeping Birth Parents in mind throughout the Adoption Journey – 8 Oct
🧩 FASD & SW Practice – 15 Oct
🧒 Recruitment & Therapeutic Placement Strategy for children waiting the longest – 23 Oct

👉 Info & booking: bit.ly/45Jh3NQ

🚨 New 3x 1-hr online Short & Smart sessions for #Adoption Panel Chairs, Members & Advisors.

Focused learning on questioning, influences & health issues in panel practice 💷 £25 per session | ⏱️ 1hr | 🎟️ 50 places only 📅 Dates 30th Sept, 16th Oct, 10th Dec bit.ly/45Jh3NQ
#Adoptionpanel #Adoptionsupport

The Impact of Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) on Adoption Services and Therapeutic Services: Research Study We appreciate that the government’s decision to reduce ASGSF funding has been a difficult one, affecting how services are responding to the needs of children and families in need of therapeutic suppor...

Adoption professionals: We know #ASGSF changes hasn't just cut support—they’ve forced many to adapt quickly to evolving therapeutic needs of adoptive families. Join ‪@sussex.ac.uk‬ & @worcesteruni.bsky.social‬ focus groups or 121 interviews to shape future funding
👉 bit.ly/47buKHN

ASGSF Parent Carer Impact Survey (Post-April 2025 Changes)

🚨 Parents/carers affected by #ASGSF delays/cuts: Have your say! 🚨

📋 Fill out a 5–10 min survey to share how changes have impacted your family.

📅 Deadline: Mon 29 Aug
🕒 Early responses needed!

📢 Amplify adoptive families voices to show the impact of cuts and shape the Fund’s future: bit.ly/46LBrA0

Parliament started summer recess this week, and that means no #ASGSF decision until September.

Here's our blog about it 👇
cvaa.org.uk/blog-a-devol...

We need 1. A full & proper consultation prior to any decisions about future reform & 2. An adoption support model with fair access for all children

Charities call for urgent review of adoption support funding - CYP Now A charity coalition is calling for an urgent review of the government’s “abrupt and short-sighted” cuts to adoption support, which they claim is a breach of a Labour manifesto commitment to support ad...

"A charity coalition is calling for an urgent review of the government’s “abrupt and short-sighted” cuts to adoption support, which they claim is a breach of a Labour manifesto commitment to support adoptees" www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...
@cypnow

Delays & reductions in support are having devastating consequences for children & families. Govt suggestions that local authorities can/will cover shortfalls in funding are misleading.

There are both moral & economic reasons to review the cuts, and we need action now.
cvaa.org.uk/cvaa-signs-j...

Today CVAA & @adoptionuk.bsky.social @wearecoram.bsky.social @kinshipcharity.bsky.social @barnardos.org.uk @familyrightsgp.bsky.social wrote to @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social calling for an urgent review of the April #ASGSF changes, confirmation of funding in 2026 & full consultation on future reforms

🚨Want to explore why maintaining relationships in adoption matters for identity & life history?
Join our HALF DAY training session on Maintaining Relationships in Adoption: Why Does Adoption Need to Change & How Can We Achieve This?
19th August | 10am–1:30pm | With Ruth Copson (UEA)
bit.ly/45Wox1E

CVAA data shows most of our member adoption agencies exceed the 27% voluntary sector average of applications from the #LGBTQ+ community 🏳️‍🌈 Their inclusive and respectful services are making a real impact — with Adoption Matters leading the way in the North! 🙌 #Adoption

The first report from the #FamilyRoutes study is out:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684c4e...
There's much to be taken from this - esp. the recommendation for thorough assessments of need pre-Order & informed advice about the implications of children's needs in the longer-term #adoption

An important new report with stark findings about the daily lived experiences of adoptive families navigating teenage years @thepotatogroup.bsky.social . Calls for a more trauma responsive approach to #adoptionsupport must be factored into govt's current consideration of the future of the #ASGSF