Read our news updates to find out about our latest views, work and developments.
James Bury, CoramBAAF’s Head of Policy, Research and Development, shares reflections on a key report that has been launched this week. ‘Increasing access to evidence-informed mental health service provision for children in care in England – National recommendations for change’ was authored by Professor Rachel Hiller alongside key academic authors and contributors and has been supported by CoramBAAF, UCL and UK Trauma Council.
In this heartfelt conversation for Foster Care Fortnight, foster carer Paul Calder shares powerful stories that highlight the importance of consistent, compassionate relationships in helping children in care learn to trust and thrive. Through practical examples and emotional turning points, Paul emphasises how small, everyday actions can have lasting impacts on a young person’s sense of belonging and self-worth.
James Bury, CoramBAAF’s Head of Policy, Research, and Development, expresses concern about the cuts in funding to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) and the uncertainty about its future.
Form F (2025) has been updated to improve its language and tone, making it more accessible for both carers and assessors. One of the most important changes is the addition of a new section focused on children’s needs—and how prospective carers can meet them.
Jo Francis introduces two of our essential short legal guides, Fostering Now and Adoption Now. The guides are designed to help social work professionals quickly access the legislation, standards, and guidance they need. Created with busy practitioners in mind, these practical, time-saving resources are ideal for anyone working in fostering or adoption.
As the government rolls out its policy agenda, staying informed is crucial for our members. We have written a brief overview of the most recent developments to help you stay up to date.
CoramBAAF invites local authorities to submit examples of innovative kinship care practice for the “Pitching Good Practice” spots at this year’s Kinship Care Conference in London on 13 October 2025.
Most of us would say we’re not biased and that we always look at situations fairly and without prejudice, but it’s this misguided bias that adversely impacts decisionmaking. The research of Dr Arlene Weekes proves that utilising the ‘Effective use of Personal and Professional Judgement’ (EPPJ) framework to increase personal awareness has a positive impact on professional effectiveness, particularly for panel chairs.
The Government have announced this week that there will be changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. Whilst the commitment to sustain the fund for 2025-26 announced earlier this month was welcome, it is disappointing to see that as more children are coming forward, their access is being further limited.
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill strengthens child protection, mandates Family Group Decision Making (FGDM), enhances multi-agency safeguarding, and expands schools’ duties. It also supports kinship care, improves regional cooperation, and increases Ofsted oversight. Now at its second reading in the House of Lords, it continues to shape children’s social care.
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