The recent Spending Review announcement includes cuts for the Adoption and Special Guardian Support Fund. Charities and advocates are hitting back, hailing the move with scathing criticism. Funding for therapeutic services for adopted children has been reduced by 40%. This far-reaching cut in welfare provision poses an immense threat to millions of vulnerable families in every corner of England. The fund benefits adopted children and young adults through the age of 21. It further broadens this support to those aged 25 if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. As demand for higher quality, safer infrastructure has increased, the fund has been repeatedly raided and cut.
Last year, families had access to up to £2,500 for specialist assessments and £5,000 for therapy per eligible child. This year’s changes capped treatment costs at £3,000 a year. Yet they have gone on to entirely cut out any funding for specialist assessments. Almost 20,000 children were supported through this programme last year, up from nearly 13,000 in 2019/20. The government has already committed to investing £50 million into the fund this year. That’s the same overall funding level as last year.
The future of the fund had been in doubt until the government provided a last-minute declaration that it would be continued into 2025/26. Environmental justice advocates are objecting to this move. They contend these cuts are coming at a moment when more adoptive families are experiencing crises.
Adoption UK have been especially strong in the condemnation of the funding cuts. Young people charity’s chief executive, Emily Frith said that this was a cautionary tale of the impact of the decision.
“It will have a direct impact on children and young people who have had a very tough start in life,” – Emily Frith
Frith described the funding cuts as “very short-sighted at a time when there are more adoptive families in crisis than ever before.” She told Members that eliminating this support would increase economic hardship and suffering for so many families. These families rely on these services to provide the stability and well-being necessary for their children to thrive.
Louisa, an adoptive parent, explained her personal journey grappling with what the cuts will mean. She shared her experience feeling anxious and incredulous about how this type of decision would impact her child.
“Without it, we fear for their future, their ability to function in the world, attend school, be safe to others and themselves, and for our family stability,” – Louisa
Louisa further added that she feels like she is “watching the decline in front of our eyes,” illustrating the immediate emotional toll that these funding changes impose on families navigating adoption.
The Liberal Democrats have been equally piqued, adding to the growing bipartisan chorus of disapproval. As a result, Munira Wilson, the party’s education, children, and families spokesperson, has been busy. She has written an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, calling on her to reverse the cuts.
Kinship, an organization that works for and with relatives caring for young people when their parents are unable, dubbed the announcement “a further blow.” These families are already struggling enough. The organization noted that lapses in renewing the funding program interrupt therapy appointments. This does nothing but compound the challenges that already exist.
Given what’s happened since then, it is notable that the Department for Education admitted to needing to make these kinds of cuts was a “tough decision.” In response to comments from supporters, the department emphasized that the demand for the fund is quickly increasing. This dramatic increase indicates that meeting fiscal limitations with growing demands is a multifaceted challenge.
