Backlash over 'distressing' cuts to adoption fund

Charities have criticised the government for cutting the amount of funding families in England can access to pay for therapy for adopted children by 40%.

Adoption UK said the news was "distressing" for families, who had already faced "an agonising wait" to find out whether the adoption and special guardian support fund would continue.

Last year each eligible child could access £2,500 for specialist assessment and £5,000 for therapy. But the therapy limit has now been cut to £3,000 per year, while separate funding for specialist assessment has been axed.

The government said the move would "ensure the fund is financially sustainable to allow more vulnerable children to access targeted support".

The future of the fund had been in doubt, until the government confirmed at the last minute that it would continue in 2025/26.

In response to an urgent question in the House of Commons on 1 April - the day after the fund expired - Children and Families Minister Janet Daby said £50m had been allocated for this year.

The overall funding for the scheme remains the same as last year.

However, Adoption UK said the cut in the amount available per child would have "a direct impact on children and young people who have had a very tough start in life".

The charity's chief executive, Emily Frith, said the decision was "very short-sighted at a time when there are more adoptive families in crisis than ever before".

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