Adopted young people urge the Children’s Minister to ensure schools, mental health services and social care are trauma-informed

A week after the new government announced its plans for the future of children’s social care, Adoption UK took a group of thirteen adopted young people from across England to meet with the Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby MP, to share their views on what change is needed across children’s social care, education and health.  

Most adoptees have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect in their early years, along with separation from their birth family and often multiple moves in the care system. This can have lasting impacts on learning, mental health and relationships. In its policy statement on the future of Children’s Social Care, the government committed to further investment in the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund and for Regional Adoption Agencies, but did not outline any new measures it will take to improve the adoption system in England. 

The young people, aged between 14 and their early 20s, spoke openly and powerfully about the challenges they and their peers face.  

Talking to the Minister about education, many of them expressed the view that teachers are often not adequately trained to understand and support young people with care experience, including those who are adopted. Department for Education data shows that attainment of children previously in care falls significantly behind that of their peers. Adoption UK is calling on government to ensure all teachers have a good understanding of trauma.  

Highlighting the significant issues many adoptees face with poor mental health, the young people described to the Minister long waits for therapeutic support and services that do not understand the specific needs of those with care experience. Adoption UK’s Barometer report revealed that more than half of 16-25-year-old adoptees accessed or attempted to access mental health services. The charity is calling on government to ensure all mental health professionals, including those in schools and in the promised Youth Hubs, have the training they need to support young people who have experienced trauma.  

The young people also talked to the Minister about the challenges of the transition to adulthood, including the need for flexible employment options, and better support for managing relationships with birth family.  

Emily Frith, Chief Executive of Adoption UK, said: “It was inspiring to hear these young people speak so powerfully about the challenges they face, but also the solutions they propose. They are exactly the kind of advocates we need to help bring about the radical change that’s required in children’s social care and in our wider public services.” 

Many of the young people who met the Minister are members of Adoption UK’s Bridge Project, a specialist youth programme for 14–15-year-old adopted young people who are most at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). Research by Adoption UK shows that adopted young people are twice as likely to be NEET as their peers. The project aims to raise confidence and aspirations through specialist guidance, training and support.