The recent announcement from the UK government regarding cuts to the adoption support fund has sparked significant outrage among charities and families who rely on it. Specifically, the proposed reduction in funding will decrease the financial assistance available for therapy aimed at supporting adopted children by 40%. Adoption UK, a prominent charity advocating for the needs of adopted children and their families, has described the news as “distressing,” particularly for families who have already endured a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding the fate of this essential support.
Under the previous funding structure, families could access up to £2,500 for specialist assessments and a further £5,000 for necessary therapy services for each adopted child. However, the new guidelines reveal that the therapy limit has been halved to £3,000 annually, and funding for specialist assessments has been entirely eliminated. This drastic cutback raises concerns about the long-term well-being and development of children who have already experienced significant trauma before their adoptions.
The government has defended its decision, claiming that it aims to stabilize the financial sustainability of the adoption fund to ensure that vulnerable children can continue to receive targeted support. In an email to stakeholders, the Department for Education stated that the “difficult decision” comes amidst skyrocketing demand for the fund, which has been growing rapidly, with nearly 20,000 children receiving help last year—a marked increase from around 13,000 in previous years.
In an urgent parliamentary session on April 1, a day after the fund was set to expire, Children and Families Minister Janet Daby confirmed the allocation of £50 million for the fund for the current year. Nevertheless, while this amount represents a continuation of the overall funding level from last year, Adoption UK emphasized that the individual cut in funding per child will have direct and adverse repercussions for many affected children and young people who have already faced considerable challenges in their lives. The charity’s chief executive, Emily Frith, criticized the government’s approach, deeming it “short-sighted,” especially as the need for support among adoptive families escalates.
The emotional toll of these cuts was encapsulated in the testimony of a mother, referred to as Louisa, who has utilized the fund to secure therapy for her two adopted sons. She voiced her fears about the future, expressing concerns regarding their ability to function in society, attend school, and maintain family stability without the necessary therapy. With the eldest son having maximized his funding in previous years, Louisa was left watching his mental health decline as he had already been forced to curtail his therapy sessions due to uncertainties about future financial aid.
Louisa described the feelings shared among families affected by the funding cuts as “anxious, fearful, sad, and in disbelief.” Her sentiments are echoed by the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for education, children, and families, Munira Wilson, who criticized the government’s decision to release this information over the Easter holiday period. She highlighted the immense stress and concern these cuts inflict on families and called on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to reconsider the decision.
The turmoil does not end there. The charity Kinship, which supports relatives and friends who care for children when parents cannot, voiced its dismay over the disruption in therapy experienced by families due to the delays in renewing the adoption support scheme. Dr. Lucy Peake, chief executive of Kinship, criticized the government’s mixed messaging that promotes public awareness of the scheme yet fails to provide adequate funding, warning that this approach could jeopardize already fragile family dynamics.
With the cuts leading to longer waiting times for therapy for adopted children, adoption agencies are poised to adjust their funding applications and support mechanisms, as anxious families brace for the impact of these changes on their children’s futures. The fund is available for adopted children and young people up to the age of 21 and extends to those up to 25 years old who hold an education, health, and care plan, underscoring the importance of stable, accessible mental health resources for these vulnerable populations.