BBC File on Four : The Adoption Support Failure Scandal
Why we got involved
"Parents who can no longer cope, or no longer feel they can keep their family safe, have to take the heartbreaking decision to legally abandon their son or daughter." Damien Dobson, Solicitor
On the 28th November 2025 the BBC released a file on four program over Adoption Support Services and the Scandal that families are unsupported. This is exactly the territory of LOGOS Bound Research. The national pattern could not be an accident. We spoke to a number of those involved and found that a common theme was the lack of Adoption Support Service Assessments. Under the Adoption Act every family is entitled to a full Adoption Support Assessment. We set out with a group of experts and using modern techniques to write a world leading Adoption Support Assessment guidance for parents Legislation, Best practice and lived experience of Adopters. We offer the work freely and it is for others to challenge it.
Click the image to see the BBC Article.
Stop Press!
Government Announces Consultation on Adoption Support Services
On the 10th February 2026, less than 10 days after The LogosBound Policy unit published its Adoption Support Services Assessment Guidance, the UK Government made a statement in the House of Lords and Commons on Adoption Services. It has recognized the failings of the service and has launched a Consultation into Adoption Support Services, which aligns with the ongoing government analysis of current practices.
At LogosBound, we believe that new legislation is unnecessary; rather, the Government should instruct Councils to operate within existing laws and adhere to the rules already established by Parliament. It is our opinion that Local Authorities are treating Adoption Support Services as discretionary rather than mandatory once needs are established. They seem to believe that the only route to funding for these services is through the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, neglecting their other legal obligations under the Adoption Act 2002 and the Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005. Many families have shared their experiences, confirming this concern.
LogosBound believes that this misinterpretation is a key reason for the problems we are witnessing within Adoption Support Services, ultimately causing harm to the most vulnerable in society. We advocate for open source policies that ensure transparency and accountability in policy development.
We urge you to complete the consultation and have your say. You can find the consultation here.