Today we've published our organisational response to the Department for Education's Adoption support that works for all consultation. The response draws heavily on our research. Thanks again to all who participated and to those who led and contributed to it's publication.

Very grateful to the Adopters Anonymous podcast for inviting Lisa Mainwaring, Clare Solomons and me on to discuss the ASGSF campaign and the future of post-adoption support. open.spotify.com/epi...

"Sometimes a poem contains the words that fell off the page, just like the people who fell off the sidewalk."

The DfE’s own research documents high levels of trauma, neurodevelopmental difference and clinical need among adopted and kinship children. Our open letter to the Minister asks how the proposed reforms align with the data. Policy must follow evidence. www.thepotatogroup.org.uk/post/open-le...

Today we have published an open letter to The Minster for Children and Families setting out concerns relating to the Adoption Support that Works for All consultation.

DfE consultation launched on the future of post-adoption support. ASGSF funding confirmed to 2028, with proposals that point to its replacement. www.thepotatogroup.org.uk/post/adoptio...

Not going to stop posting this band.

Did Trump really just call our windmills “losers”???

Statement regarding the aims of our campaign, @asgsfprotest.bsky.social asgsfprotest.com/what-this-ca...

I'd be most extremely grateful if you'd consider voting for My Thryoid and Me: A Young Person's Cancer Story in the Smiley Charity Film Awards. 🙏 smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/my-thy...

Our response to BBC File on 4 Investigates: Adoption - The Blame Game. www.thepotatogroup.org.uk/post/bbc-fil...

On the eve of the budget, a quick reminder of the economic illiteracy behind some of this government's decisions, made without any assessment of impact. This is satire, and still does not capture the true absurdity of the situation. Thanks to @michaelspicer.bsky.social youtu.be/p1DXxDHXLU0

Heading home after a lovely weekend in Brum for our AGM. Huge thanks to Becky Brooks, Dr David Junior Gilbert and Gillian Elam for outstanding presentations, & to our volunteer committee for making it all happen. Grateful to members who joined us, and to those who wanted to but couldn't. - Euan

A disappointing meeting with the children's minister. Grateful to Community Care for reporting on it. @asgsfprotest.bsky.social www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/11/20/a...

Thanks to Community Care for publishing our research article.

This morning, Clare Solomons and Anna Maxwell Martin appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss our campaign to reverse the cuts made to the #ASGSF. @asgsfprotest.bsky.social youtu.be/Z8Mies999cM

Huge thanks to @privateeyenews.bsky.social for reporting on our campaign. @asgsfprotest.bsky.social

Quick explainer video about this ASGSF thing I've been endlessly harping on about, courtesy of @michaelspicer.bsky.social (thank you, Michael). @asgsfprotest.bsky.social

At our professionals conference last year, our members’ lived experiences took centre stage. A volunteer team, led by Research Manager Gillian Elam, carried out research that shaped our landmark report. Clip from Family Matters podcast. thanks to @adoptionuk.bsky.social for inviting us on.

The Impossible Choice 36% of families answering our survey have been forced to make this choice since the cuts to the ASGSF were made. These cuts must be reversed The government must listen. Survey Report: asgsfprotest.com/pcsurveyapril2…#fundnoworpaylatere#ACutTooFara#asgsfs#carenotcutsts

It’s #NationalAdoptionWeek, and it would be remiss not to mention our landmark research into the lived experiences of adoptive families raising children and young adults affected by early-life trauma. www.thepotatogroup.o...

“81% of respondents stated the cuts to the ASGSF had a very negative or negative affect on their child’s mental health. 85% of respondents stated the cuts had a negative or very negative impact on their child’s emotion wellbeing.” #NationalAdoptionWeek

Our survey results were raised with the Minister for Children and Families in Parliament directly by Clive Jones. When will this government start seeing our children? When will they recognise their needs? When will they look to truly address those needs to the right level and at the right time?

Of the 777 children and young adults represented in our survey, only 10 were felt by their parents or carers to have had their therapeutic needs met. 10.

The stark reality of the cuts to the ASGSF from: “Assessing the impact on families following the April 2025 changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund ‘’. Key Finding 1 : The new fair access limit of £3,000 is not enough. asgsfprotest.com/pcsurveyapri...

🚨Damning Report shows Devastating Impact of Brutal Cuts to Adoption and Kinship Support Fund #ASGSF We release the findings from our national survey of adoptive parents, special guardians and kinship carers. The results are stark. asgsfprotest.com/wp-content/u...

Enormous thanks to @peterstefanovic.bsky.social for standing with our children and backing our campaign. @asgsfprotest.bsky.social

As National Adoption Week approaches, it’s also 6 mo since govt cut the ASGSF. Our survey shows the devastating impact on many families. We hope to meet with the Minister in coming weeks to discuss a way forward. In the meantime, please consider adding your name to our open letter.

Overnight bag packed and on the train to Cardiff for the National Adoption Service Cymru AGM, Adoption in Wales: Learning from Research and Experience. Grateful to have been invited to share insights from our research on how early trauma shapes our children’s lives. ~ Euan

A welcome message to the new Minister for Children and Families.

Hundreds of dedicated parents. Peer support, solidarity, and a drive for change. Chair of The Potato Group, Euan Preston, introduces who we are, and why we exist. A clip from the Family Matters podcast. Thanks again to @adoptionuk.bsky.social for inviting us on to discuss our research.

The #ASGSF is being extended for another year. Welcome news, but it’s not enough. Adoptive and kinship families deserve appropriately funded, stable, effective support, not short-term extensions and vague promises. questions-statements...

We love our kids fiercely, and we always will. But adoption culture needs to move beyond the idea that “love is enough”. Our research report shows what happens when trauma is left unrecognised and families are left without the right support: www.thepotatogroup.o...

Thanks to Sarah Ruston OBE from @adoptionuk.bsky.social for inviting our Research Manager, Gillian Elam, and Chair, @euanpreston, onto the Family Matters podcast to talk about The POTATO Group’s research, 𝘍𝘢𝘳 𝘍𝘢𝘳 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳. www.adoptionuk.org/family-matte...

Torn: A powerful short film written by James Evans. When everything you treasure is tossed in a bin bag, what does that say about you? youtu.be/RetbmVOy-tA?...

Many thanks @alcoates.bsky.social & @gayadoptiondad.bsky.social for having our Research Manager, Gillian Elam, and Chair, @euanpreston.bsky.social, on The Adoption and Fostering Podcast to talk about our research report. www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-4r...

Thank you to @alisonebennett.bsky.social for continuing to fight for the needs of adoptive and kinship children. We need more MPs to take action like this. Tag your MP and ask them to do just that. #fundnoworpaylater #ACutTooFar #asgsf #carenotcuts

Some pods to listen out for: 2. Today Sarah Ruston spoke with us on @adoptionuk.bsky.social’s Family Matters podcast, again about our research, which you can (and should) find here: www.thepotatogroup.o...

Some pods to listen out for: 1. Last week, @alcoates.bsky.social & @gayadoptiondad.bsky.social very kindly invited our chair @euanpreston and research manager Gillian Elam onto @aandfpodcast.bsky.social to talk about our research, which you can (and should) find here: www.thepotatogroup.o...

Our research reveals the realities of modern adoption. 438 families shared experiences of parenting children living with the impact of early-life trauma. Read the full report: www.thepotatogroup.o...

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...

On Monday, we'll publish our full research report Far, Far Beyond the Adoption Order: Lessons from Lives Impacted by Trauma. This is more than a report; it’s a testament to love, courage and commitment from families. Register to receive it: research@thepotatogr...

Speechless. How can someone this ignorant be permitted to sit on the Cambridgeshire County Council Children and Young People Committee? www.youtube.com/watc...

❤️ 🥔 www.un.org/en/observ...

This is absolutely hairs-standing-on-end, tingly-rushes-down-the-spine, pretending-not-to-well-up beautiful. @katiegm.bsky.social‬ youtu.be/utVxi5MSNPs?...

I have a question for the chancellor. #asgsf @asgsfprotest.bsky.social

Very reassuring to hear so many MPs joining our calls for a reversal of changes to the #ASGSF in today's Westminster Hall debate led by Rebecca Smith MP. Deeply grateful for members' contributions showing that the changes will bring significant harm to vulnerable families.

The evening before we travel to London to fight for our families once again, here is a reminder of our protest march, and why we're campaining. Tmrw we're attending the House of Commons to explain to MPs why the #ASGSF is such a crucial lifeline for adoptive and kinship families.

Ok so who's up for forming a Massive Hassle tribute band? www.youtube.com/watc...