Adoptive therapy funding cuts 'disgusting' - mother

A mother has described government cuts to therapy funding for adopted children as "disgusting".

Lucy Williams, from Gloucestershire, adopted her daughter four years ago and has used the fund for specialist assessments and play therapy.

But the government announced in April that the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) would be cut by 40% per child and Ms Williams is now worried her daughter may not be able to access the therapy she needs.

The Department for Education said the decisions it has taken "will ensure the fund is financially sustainable to allow more vulnerable children to access targeted support".

Ms Williams, who describes her daughter as "sassy" with a "wicked laugh", said the fund had been a lifeline for them - giving them a framework to follow in order to support her needs.

The funding would usually cover specialist occupational therapy, play therapy and time with a counsellor, which Ms Williams says is vital for young people, many of whom have faced early trauma.

"This support is not a luxury, it's an absolute necessity," Ms Williams said, adding that the cuts were "short sighted".

"There will be a cost to the country, because these kids will need to access various things throughout their life, every professional will tell you that the earlier the intervention the better the outcome," she said.

"Stripping this away from some of the most vulnerable young people in our society is not the answer."

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 altogether.

While the overall pot remains at £50m, increased demand means it is having to be shared among more families.

Campaigners have said that many of these children rely on therapeutic support to help build secure attachments, increase self confidence, and to identify the necessary support functions needed to be put in place in education and family life.

They fear the cuts will mean that therapy sessions could come to an abrupt end for some children if the money runs out and their families cannot afford to plug the gap.

Alison Woodhead, from Adoption UK, said: "These are kids who have been abused or neglected and these things have a lasting impact.

"The decision to cut this fund is just wrong".

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We know how important this support is to families – and through our Plan for Change, we're committed to ensuring adopted and kinship families continue to receive the help they need to thrive."

It said that the Fair Access limit (FAL) has been set at £3,000 for 2025-26, in line with the average cost of services for most families, adding that more than half of therapy applications already fell within this limit in 2024-25.

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