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cvaauk.bsky.social
CVAA UK
@cvaauk.bsky.social
Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies. UK-wide membership and policy charity. Our members change the world for adopted children & their families every day. cvaa.org.uk
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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
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
November 13, 2025 at 12:20 PM
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...
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October 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM
📣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
October 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
🍂 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
September 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
✨ 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
CVAA's Practice Programme 2026-27 Questionnaire (3 mins)
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
bit.ly
September 18, 2025 at 10:32 AM
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.
September 16, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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
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...
www.adoptionuk.org
September 11, 2025 at 11:28 AM
🍂 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
September 10, 2025 at 11:59 AM
🚨 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
August 21, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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
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...
bit.ly
August 12, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🚨 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
ASGSF Parent Carer Impact Survey (Post-April 2025 Changes)
bit.ly
August 7, 2025 at 9:47 AM
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
Blog: A devolved ASGSF risks loss of fairness and transparency for children – Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies
cvaa.org.uk
July 24, 2025 at 10:55 AM
"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
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...
www.cypnow.co.uk
July 23, 2025 at 11:22 AM
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
July 22, 2025 at 2:11 PM
🚨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
Maintaining relationships’ in adoption: why does adoption need to change and how can we achieve this? – Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies
bit.ly
July 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
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
#AdoptionMatters welcomes enquiries from the LGBTQ+ community this week and every week 🥰

🌈 Read all about LGBTQ+ #adoption here: buff.ly/CkpWj6I

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#YouCanAdopt #AdopterChoice #LGBTQ+
July 7, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
July 1, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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
Published today: Our research report, Far, Far Beyond the Adoption Order: Lessons from lives Impacted by Trauma.

Based on the experiences of 438 adoptive families, it reveals long-term impact of early trauma and urgent need for better support.

Read here:
www.thepotatogroup.o...
June 30, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🚨 HALF DAY Practice Webinar – Book Now! 🚨
Topic: Assessing & Supporting Single Adopters
🗓 Thurs 17 July | 🕙 10am–1:30pm
🎓 With Mahongo Shibemba & Penny Rowntree (Adopters for Adoption)
🔍 Explore research, good practice & practitioner insights on single adopters.
👉 Book here: bit.ly/44j4Ezo
Assessing and supporting single adopters – learning from research and good practice – Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies
bit.ly
June 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Its #SmallCharityWeek, an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that charities make to #Communities in the UK. Take a look at how to get involved and the free events taking place throughout the week below:
bit.ly/43ZttRW
Event listing | Small Charity Week
This is an events listing page for small organisations to share their local Small Charity Week events.
bit.ly
June 24, 2025 at 10:13 AM
🚨 Back by popular demand! 🚨
Join our HALF DAY Practice Workshop:
"Working with Traumatised Adopted Children & Calming the ANS"

🗓 Wed 25 June | 🕙 10am–1pm
🎓 Led by Jay Vaughan, CEO, Family Futures CIC

Support traumatised children and yourself as a professional.
👉 Book now: bit.ly/4e2fVIH
Working with Traumatised Adopted Children and Adults and Calming the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) (Repeat Session due to High Demand) – Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies
bit.ly
June 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
📣Today VAAs from across the UK have launched the third ‘advice from adopters’ guide, focusing on advice from those who have adopted children from Black and other diverse ethnicities.

📘 Read the new guide below + explore our other guides in the series here: bit.ly/3ZrSwum
cvaa.org.uk
June 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
🎉 Huge congrats to YAA on its new community engagement project tackling adoption disparities! 👏 Led by Skye, YAA’s first Community In-Reach Worker, who is supporting Black African & Caribbean families. Hear her talk all about the new project on @BBCSheffield 🎧👇
🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yTb...
Skye at YAA talks adoption with Sile Sibanda BBC Radio Sheffield 23rd May 2025
YouTube video by Yorkshire Adoption Agency
www.youtube.com
June 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
📣 Our CEO Satwinder Sandhu speaks out in Community Care on ASGSF funding cuts:

"Thousands of children are being denied the therapies they need. Proven trauma-based therapies are being compromised by arbitrary limits."

Read more ⬇️
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/05/23/a...
Almost half of Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund awards last year exceeded new £3,000 limit - Community Care
Data shows thousands of care experienced children will go without the therapy they need due to government cuts to ASGSF payments, warn charities
www.communitycare.co.uk
May 27, 2025 at 12:34 PM
👏 Fantastic to see our CEO Satwinder Sandhu along with other passionate voices at yesterday’s adoption roundtable with the Children’s Minister — speaking up for adoptive families & the future of the Adoption Support Fund. 💬 These vital conversations must continue. #ASGSF
May 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM