Briefings, responses and submissions Open letter to Schools Minister 19/2/26 Adoption UK CEO is calling on the Schools Minister to ensure the forthcoming Schools White Paper and SEND reforms will address the needs of children and young people who are adopted and in kinship care. In an open letter, we identify four key issues impacting this cohort of young people across education: Special Educational Needs (SEN), Emotional and Behavioural Support, Barriers to Attendance; and the Attainment Gap. It includes a list of recommendations such as mandatory trauma training for teachers, automatic identification and support for SEN for care experienced young people; and the introduction of an equivalent to PEPs for previously looked after children. Young People and Work Report: Adoption UK’s response to the call for evidence 05/02/26 In November 2025, the Westminster government commissioned the Right Honourable Alan Milburn to author a report exploring the reasons for the increase in young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) and to make recommendations for policies that will increase opportunities for young people. Adoption UK responded to the call for evidence for this report, drawing on years of research among adoptive families and adoptees across the UK which has found that, in every nation, young adoptees are consistently twice as likely to be NEET as their peers. The Behaviour Hubs Programme - a win for relational approaches 30/1/26 Report finds rewarding good behaviour, de-escalation, restorative approaches and targeted support all help to improve behaviour in schools. Education Select Commitee inquiry on SEND provision in England The Education Select Committee at Westminster has been running an inquiry into the current state of SEND provision in England entitled ‘Solving the SEND Crisis’. 27/3/25 Our evidence to the Education Select Committee inquiry on SEND calls on government for earlier identification of needs, training for education professionals, a strengthened role for virtual schools, and creative approaches to making curriculum and assessment accessible and meaningful. Time to #BreakTheBarriers for care-experienced children. Adoption UK’s response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review call for evidence 22/11/24 The DfE has established a panel to review the curriculum, assessment frameworks and accountability systems in England’s education system. Following a survey of Adoption UK members, we submitted a response to the panel’s call for evidence, focusing on the need for greater inclusion, accessibility and flexibility, and highlighting the importance of trauma-informed approaches in schools. Adoption UK's response to the Lord's Comittee on Education for 11-16 year olds 05/06/23 - High stakes such exams such as GCSEs can cause significant anxiety for young people. This is particularly so for many adoptees. Persistent absence in schools inquiry 26/4/23 - The Education Select Committee is running an inquiry into persistent absence in schools with a focus on supporting disadvantaged pupils. Through written and oral evidence, the committee is looking at those factors which cause persistent absence and the likely impact and effectiveness of the Department for Education’s proposed reforms on attendance. Adoption UK submitted evidence to the committee, calling on government to ensure schools are trauma informed so that they can properly meet the needs of children with care experience. Future of children's social care consultation In February the government set out its plans for the future of children’s social care, alongside three separate consultations inviting views from the sector, children and families: The implementation strategy: ‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’ (invites views from children and families) Plans for a children’s social care national framework (invites views from children and families) Proposals for the child and family social worker workforce The consultations close at 11.45PM on 11th May, 2023. PP+ Extended to include children adopted from overseas 16/12/22 - New guidance on pupil premium eligibility and funding rate in England includes an increase in funding and for the first time, children adopted outside England and Wales will be eligible to attract this funding for their schools. Department for Education U-Turn on summer born admissions to school (England) 29/7/22 - The Department for Education in England has reneged on a previous commitment to bring forward legislation to secure the rights of summer born children to defer entry to reception and remain with their cohort throughout their time in school. PP+ and internationally adopted children 19/07/2022 - Adoption UK and others have long campaigned for internationally adopted children in England’s schools to have equal access to support and funding, and now it seems as though change may be on the horizon. The Schools Bill: Children not in school register 07/07/2022 - The Schools Bill is currently heading towards the report stage in the House of Lords and includes the establishment of a register of children not in school. There is a lot of misinformation about this on social media and so here is our Education Policy Advisor, Becky Brooks' breakdown of what it actually means for you and your family. Manage Cookie Preferences