The Education Secretary @GavinWilliamson has given a speech about adoption. That’s got to be worth a thread. First, here’s the speech and a short interview with Coram’s Carol Homden.

And here’s @AdoptionUK’s statement in response https://www.adoptionuk.org/news/education-secretary-calls-for-adoption-system-overhaul

The SoS reminds us that adoption is a manifesto priority for this government, and is calling to overhaul the adoption sector. Given competing priorities, this is good, as is his repeated appreciation of the role adopters play and the contribution they make.

The overhaul appears to be focussed on closing the adopter recruitment gap, and ensuring sufficient adopters are available for all children with a plan for adoption to have a home without delay. This is obviously critically important.

But the focus on recruitment misses out most of the adoption journey. Our #AdoptionBarometer lays out the overhaul needed throughout the sector. https://www.adoptionuk.org/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=fd3d3969-8138-4ede-befd-1018fe629c29

The two biggest changes we need to see across the adoption sector are stable and long-term post-adoption support funding, and assessments of need and care plans for every child. There is nothing in today’s speech that takes us forward on either of these priorities.

In signalling intent to boost recruitment, the SoS calls out snobbery and bureaucracy as barriers to would-be adopters. OK. But there are complex social and cultural reasons behind people’s decision to adopt too. And let’s not forget austerity and the lack of lifelong support.

@AdoptionUK’s prospective adopters groups are full of people turned away for trivial reasons such as not having a garden. I agree that this must change. I do not agree that attacking stretched adoption agencies is the way to do it.

I’m glad @GavinWilliamson showed leadership on adoption. I wish he’d addressed the other pressing questions: adoption support and understanding children’s real needs. These are arguably harder, will require more sustained leadership and a sector-wide effort to overcome.

I won’t be surprised if recruitment remains @DfE’s top priority while they are judged on the number of children in care. But the top priority for adoptive families remains post adoption support. A true sector overhaul will take both of these priories forward together.