Family Routes: exploring needs, experiences and outcomes among young people growing up in adoption and special guardianship Research report January 2026

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KEY POINTS:

This report presents findings from the first wave of the Family Routes study, commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered by Ecorys UK, the Rees Centre (University of Oxford), and Ipsos. The study was designed to explore the needs, experiences, and outcomes of young people (aged 12–25) growing up in adoptive and special guardianship families in England, to improve understanding of long-term outcomes and inform policy and practice.

The data used to inform this report included:

• An online survey of 246 adoptive parents, 94 adopted young people (12–17), and 30 adopted young adults (18–25).

• In-depth interviews with 46 adoptive families, 38 special guardianship families, 36 adopted or special guardianship young people from the same families, and 7 adopted young adults recruited independently of their adoptive parents.

The recommendations which are from page 100-102, confirm that the evidence in this report confirms where support could be most effective in strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors, to improve outcomes for adoptive and special guardianship young people. The complexity of these young people’s needs means that they are dependent not only on quality social care support, but also on mental health and education systems that understand the specific contexts and challenges for these families who need:

• information about risk exposures and potential long term effects before a permanence order is made and guidance on how to access support when needed throughout childhood and adolescence.

• support to nurture positive relationships with their young people. Parenting self efficacy can be strengthened through information and training for adoptive parents and special guardians. When families experience challenges that strain relationships, early intervention, including respite, should be available, before relationships breakdown. Services should avoid placing, or appearing to place, blame on adoptive parents and special guardians when relationships are difficult, as this further strains family relationships and is a barrier to families seeking further support.

• clearer and easy to access information about the type of support available and how they can access it, particularly for special guardians. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill25 will require local authorities to publish their local offer for children in kinship care. This may be a step towards improving awareness of support and needs to be followed by ensuring that local offers are consistently strong, and accessible.

• to be listened to when seeking help. Evidence from this study and others shows that many adopted and special guardianship young people need additional support to thrive. Nevertheless, families often felt dismissed when they try to seek help, leading to delays and increased strain on adoptive parents and special guardians.

• improved access to mental health support and therapies, throughout childhood and adolescence. The complexity of needs associated with multiple risk exposures, both in-vitro and in early childhood, should not be a barrier to accessing effective help. CAMHS and therapeutic support providers must have a good understanding of the specific contexts and needs of adopted and special guardianship young people. The ASGSF is an essential route to this support and should be retained and promoted, particularly to special guardians.

• schools to play an essential role in providing safe and stable places for young people, as well as recognising and responding to learning and developmental needs. Schools need more information and support from virtual school heads, children’s social care, SEND, CAMHS, and voluntary services to help staff support young people and families, and to improve school attendance and wellbeing.

• a better understanding of the needs of trauma experienced children across the social care and SEN system, including the high prevalence of mental health difficulties and SEN in this group. Guidance on support for these young people should recognise that additional support will often be needed and include earlier signposting and help to access assessments. This would help to identify and meet needs earlier, reduce the burden on families to 'fight' for support and ultimately improve outcomes for these children and young people."