New government support for self-employed adopters welcomed by Stoke charity
Financial aid extended to eligible self-employed adopters
Adoption Matters, a children's charity based in Stoke, Staffordshire and Shropshire, has welcomed the government's announcement of a new Parental Allowance.
This new policy will extend financial support to eligible self-employed adopters and employed adopters who currently cannot access statutory parental payments.
The changes were revealed as part of the Budget announcement on 28th October 2026.
For many years, self-employed adopters have faced added financial challenges when taking time away from work to support a child joining their family.
Unlike employed adopters, who can qualify for statutory adoption pay, many self-employed adopters have had little or no financial support during the crucial early weeks.
Adoption Matters believes that the time immediately after a child moves in with their family is critical, noting that many adopted children have experienced trauma, loss, and uncertainty.
Susy White, Chief Executive of Adoption Matters, said:
"We welcome this announcement from the Government.
For too long, self-employed adopters have faced an unfair disadvantage when taking time away from work to when they are adopting.
Every child deserves the best possible start in their adoptive home.
Giving adoptive parents this extra financial support needed during those vital early weeks and months helps children to settle, build trusting relationships, and feel secure within their new family.
We hope this positive step will encourage more people from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions to consider adoption.
While there is still work to do to ensure adoption leave and pay arrangements are fully equitable for all adoptive families, this announcement is a significant and welcome move in the right direction."
The government estimates that this new package of parental support measures will benefit more than 150,000 parents across Britain each year.
Adoption Matters is looking forward to hearing further details about the implementation of the new Parental Allowance to ensure adoptive families receive the support they need.