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

Two days in Edinburgh. One sector, stronger together. 💜 Last week, VAA leaders came together for CVAA’s UK Members’ Conference to share learning, hear adoptee, adopter and birth parent perspectives, and explore how we can strengthen adoption practice. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Group photo of all attendees and speakers on day one of the CVAA Conference.Two large drawings of trees stuck to a window with post it notes of ideas and thoughts coming off the branches from attendees of the conference.

CVAA's new Best Practice in Adoption Agency Front Door course is now available on our e-learning platform. Delivered by ARC Adoption North East, it explores creating welcoming, responsive experiences from first contact. £59 | 2.5 CPD hours | 12 months’ access | Book: bit.ly/4yqm5ff

Today, You Can Adopt launches #EveryDayIsEverything, highlighting the growing need for more adopters. 3,010 children in England are waiting for a permanent home. The campaign’s film brings these figures to life through real adoption stories, showing that adoption is about being there every day❤️

Join us for our next expert-led CVAA training session! Tuesday 22nd September | Identity After Adversity: Practice Support for Adopted Young People with Adverse Early Childhood Experiences with Dr Zoe Webb and Tanya Killick. 👉 Book now: bit.ly/4pcweYX

Don’t miss our next FREE Short & Smart lunchtime session! Adoption in 2026 – Lessons from Research and Lived Experience 2nd July | 12–1pm | Online CVAA's CEO Satwinder Sandhu shares key insights from adoption conferences and the future of adoption. Book your place: bit.ly/4ubMfzd

Join us for our next practice webinar: Understanding Compassion Fatigue and Supporting Discouraged Adoptive Parents. Co-delivered with Adoption Focus, this session will explore blocked care, compassion fatigue, and practical ways professionals can support families. 👉Book here: bit.ly/3RFbSeb

There’s still time to book onto next week’s expert-led Practice Programme session: From Contact to Connection: Navigating Culture Change in Adoption Practice 🗓 Thursday 7th May | ⏰ 10am–4pm | 💻Online Join Vicky Swift from Adoption England & Dr Beverley Barnett-Jones MBE Book here: bit.ly/4t8qhwP

CVAA has responded to the report on Historical Forced Adoption and agree that a government apology is vital, however this must be matched with funding, support, and reform. Survivors’ voices must drive change for all affected by forced adoption. Read CVAA’s full response here: bit.ly/4tf4W4Y

The team had a great couple of days in Bristol earlier this week with the @cvaauk.bsky.social Trustee Board reflecting on our strategy and priorities for VAAs in the adoption and permanence sector. Truly inspired by the ideas and insights shared and excited for the year ahead!

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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

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

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🍴 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

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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...

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...

cypnow.co.uk

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!

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🎄 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

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🚨 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

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