Latest news with #ASGSF
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
West Country MPs criticise 'beyond negligent' Labour over cuts to support for adopted children
A group of West Country MPs has accused the government of being "beyond negligent" over cuts to specialist support for adopted children, claiming the "terrifying" changes were "sneaked out" over Easter. For a decade, the Adoption and Specialist Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) has helped thousands of families cover the costs of services like psychotherapy, to help young adopted people cope with past traumas. Up until March this year, local authorities and adoption agencies could apply for £5,000 per year per child for therapy and £2,500 a year for assessments. Labour has kept the overall budget the same, but has changed how it will be allocated. The £5,000 therapy grant has been cut to £3,000 and the separate £2,500 allowance has been altogether scrapped. "We are asking people to care for the most vulnerable children and if we don't give them the tools to do that, they won't apply in the first place," said South West Devon's Conservative MP, Rebecca Smith. "There is a very real concern that the number of adoptions will fall and more children, those with some of the most difficult and challenging stories, will face the long term in care, seeing their futures massively impacted as a result." According to the government, the decision to change the rules around ASGSF was made "in a challenging fiscal climate" and aims to "maximise the number of children who can access the fund". But Edward Morello, West Dorset's Liberal Democrat MP, said it's a "fundamental problem" that the funding for ongoing support "no longer exists". Amid the criticism of the decision was an attack on how the changes were announced. Multiple MPs said it happened "overnight" and families were given no warning or time to prepare - a claim Labour fought back against. Others predicted that reduced support could end up costing the government more in future. Cameron Thomas, Lib Dem MP for Tewkesbury, said: "Diminishing this support will have long-term financial impacts on the government's forthcoming budget", while South Devon's MP Caroline Voaden advised early therapeutic intervention can be "transformative" and prevents higher spends on crisis services in later life. "This is not just a funding issue, this is a moral issue" Lib Dem MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, Richard Foord, accused the government of a "moral failure", adding: "A system that claims to protect children cannot simultaneously undermine the very services that support their recovery." He expressed fears that long-term therapy will now become "unaffordable" through trusted providers, paving the way for ones "that we cannot be sure of" to fill the gaps left behind. In response, the government insisted that families will still be able to get "a good standard of support" through the fund, and, where necessary, local authorities can "use their own funding" to increase the amount provided. Children's Minister, Janet Daby, acknowledged that the "threshold and criteria" for the ASGSF HAS changed, but "that has changed to enable us to ensure that we can reach as many children under this current funding of £50m". The minister also recognised that the current level of funding is not enough to meet expected demand. But MPs aren't the only critics of the changes. Charity Adoption UK said they "will have a direct impact on children and young people who have had a very tough start in life and deserve the same chance to thrive as everyone else." CEO Emily Frith added: "We understand that this isn't just about the Fund – it's a consequence of belt tightening across government. But it's very short sighted at a time when there are more adoptive families in crisis than ever before, and distressing news for everyone who has already faced an agonising wait to find out whether the Fund will continue to exist at all. "The government must use the forthcoming spending review to make a commitment to build the Fund back up to where adopted and kinship children need it to be." In a Westminster Hall debate, Rebecca Smith said MPs had still not been given the "certainty" they were looking for, and vowed to press the Chancellor in a bid to get the cuts reversed.
The Guardian
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Adoption fund cut has left families in limbo
As a consultant child and adolescent psychotherapist, I am writing to express serious concern about the government's handling of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) this financial year. The ASGSF has long been a vital resource for adoptive families, enabling access to specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced early trauma, loss and disruption. I have worked with many such families under this scheme and seen the positive, often life-changing impact it can have. This year, however, the situation has been chaotic and distressing. The decision on ASGSF funding was left until very late in the financial planning cycle, leaving families and professionals in limbo. When the decision finally came, the funding had been cut by 40% – a severe blow. The result has been the cancellation or delay of therapy for vulnerable children, some of whom are in crisis. Families who have already taken on extraordinary challenges are now left without the support they were relying on. The therapeutic relationships that take time and trust to build are being disrupted or lost entirely. This is not simply a matter of money – it is about the wellbeing and stability of children who have already faced immense adversity. The ASGSF was created to ensure these families did not fall through the cracks. Undermining it sends a troubling message about the government's priorities when it comes to some of the most vulnerable children in our Leslie IronsideDirector, The Centre for Emotional Development, Brighton Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Adoptive therapy funding cuts 'disgusting'
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 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. 'Most vulnerable' 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 the overall pot remains at £50m, increased demand means it is having to be shared among more 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 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 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.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Fatima Whitbread's stinging verdict on government therapy cuts for adopted kids
The Olympic medallist, who was abandoned as a baby, has labelled the government's move to slash therapy funding by 40% for each child 'deeply disappointing' Fatima Whitbread, who was abandoned as a baby, has hit out at cuts to therapy for adopted kids. The Olympic medallist labelled the government's move to slash therapy funding by 40% for each child 'incredibly worrying'. And she warned it leaves some of the country's most vulnerable kids 'without access to ongoing therapeutic support'. The retired javelin world champion, 64 – who now runs a charity for children in care – called for the government to reconsider the cuts. The £50 million Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund [ASGSF] pays for therapy sessions for kids who are adopted or those looked after by family or friends in kinship care. But the government's changes unveiled last month have dropped the per child funding from £5,000 to £3,000 each year. And the separate £2,500 per child sum set for specialist assessments has been scrapped. Meanwhile, the ASGSF now does not match fund support for kids with an exceptional need. Fatima, who was adopted by her coach aged 14, told the Mirror: 'I was deeply disappointed by the DfE's decision to reduce the cap on ASGSF payments. These children have often experienced tragedy or trauma, and timely access to specialist support can make a crucial difference to their mental health and wellbeing. Adopted children and young people are at increased risk of mental health difficulties, with many unfortunately having experienced abuse or neglect in their early years, as well as separation from birth families. 'This significant cut to Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) - a lifeline for many of the adoptive and special guardianship families we support - is incredibly worrying and leaves some of the most vulnerable children and young people in England without access to ongoing therapeutic support. 'While it is a relief the ASGSF is continuing, we urge the government to reconsider this dramatic reduction in funding. The new budget is insufficient to provide the necessary assessment and therapy to help many adoptive and special guardianship families move forward and heal from trauma. Without reliable support, there is also an increased risk of family placements breaking down and children returning to care.' The fund provided support to over 16,000 in 2023-4. It is available to eligible children and young people in England up to and including those who are aged 21, or 25 if they have a special education needs or education health and care plan. Fatima's intervention adds a powerful voice to those who have opposed the cuts. They include a group of charities who have written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging her to reconsider. Abandoned as a baby, Fatima experienced a traumatic childhood. She was eventually adopted by javelin coach Margaret Whitbread and her husband. Last year, Fatima told the Guardian: 'I was abandoned as a baby and left to die in our flat. A neighbour heard me crying and called the police, who broke down the door and rescued me. I spent the next 14 years living in institutions, among other traumatised children. Because of the love from my foster family and my passion for sport, I count myself one of the lucky ones.' Fatima went on to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year in 1987, and clinched a silver medal at the Olympics the following year. Later, in 2011, she came third in that year's I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here – memorably, getting a cockroach stuck in her nose. More recently, Fatima set up a children's charity in a bid to improve the lives of kids in care. 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. We are investing £50 million for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund to continue for another year. The decisions we have taken will ensure the fund is financially sustainable to allow more vulnerable children to access targeted support.'
The Independent
01-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Government announces £50m for adoption fund after concerns over delay
The Government has announced it will continue to fund therapeutic services for families of vulnerable and adopted children, as it allocated £50 million to the adoption and special guardian support fund (ASGSF). MPs from across the House criticised the Government for the delayed announcement, accusing it of leaving children who have experienced 'the deepest trauma' in 'limbo'. Education minister Janet Daby recognised it has been a 'difficult time' for those who access the support, and said she regretted the delay in allocating funding for the scheme for the 2025/26 financial year. Families of adopted children and families with a special guardianship order (SGO) or a child arrangement order (CAO) in place wanting to access therapy can request funding through local authorities or regional adoption agencies. Responding to an urgent question on the fund, Ms Daby said: 'I very much appreciate that the delay in confirming continuation of this fund has been a very difficult time for many, and I am especially concerned about children and families, because many of those whom the adoption special guardianship support fund supports are in great need of help and in need of continued help. 'I do also recognise that there has been an impact on providers of therapy who have not been able to plan and prepare for the year ahead in the way they would have liked. 'However, the department has been clear with local authorities and regional adoption agencies about transitional funding arrangements, which means that therapy which started in the last financial year can continue into 2025/26, even ahead of full 25/26 budget announcements. 'Appropriate transitional funding has been agreed for a significant number of children. 'I do regret the delay in making this announcement, but I'm very happy to confirm that today that £50 million has been allocated for the adoption and special guardianship support fund this year. 'We will be announcing further details to the House in the coming days and opening applications to families and children across our country as soon as we can.' Asking the urgent question, Liberal Democrat education, children and families spokeswoman Munira Wilson said families had been 'left hanging and in limbo'. The Twickenham MP added: 'Many members on all sides of the chamber have spent the last few months asking question after question and being batted away, time after time, that answers will be forthcoming. 'Yet this vital fund is there to help those most vulnerable children who have experienced the deepest trauma.' Ms Daby said she 'recognises the potential impact on children and families'. Labour MP Rachael Maskell described the delay as a 'tragedy' because 'many services have closed and people's therapy (has) been stopped as a result of this hiatus in funding'. The York Central MP added: 'Will she ensure that those people impacted by this gap in the funding will be able to have additional support for the trauma that it could have caused to those young people? And will she ensure that the Treasury sign off funding ahead of deadlines when funding ends?' Ms Daby said the Government is 'committed' to adopted children and 'will continue to work together to make sure sufficient funding is in place and is more timely'. Labour MP Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) also pressed the Government to 'guarantee that this doesn't happen again'. Ms Daby said the Government 'will continue to support local authorities' to fulfil their statutory duty to have support services in place for adopted children. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott questioned why the Government had not confirmed the funding sooner. She said: 'It is utterly extraordinary that today we have had to summon the Government to the chamber to provide clarity on whether they have axed the programme which ended yesterday – so we thought – and supports 20,000 of our most vulnerable young people.' Responding, Ms Daby said applications would be open 'as soon as possible'. The Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, Steve Darling, who was himself put up for adoption, said the information on the continuation of the fund had been dragged from the minister 'kicking and screaming'. He said: 'The world is a much more complex place and children are so much more likely to have had adverse childhood experiences and then need this funding. 'One had hoped that after the general election, the adults were back in the room. Can the minister assure this chamber that the funding will continue for year after year after year?' Ms Daby replied: 'This Government has no plans to prevent this funding at this time from continuing.' Gareth Snell, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, asked the minister to clarify if there would be 'a slight expansion of the remit of the fund so that it can help more people in kinship care', telling MPs that he had been raised in a kinship care setting. Ms Daby said the Government is not 'looking to expand this fund' but that the funding announced would also be available to kinship carers. The Labour MP for Cannock Chase, Josh Newbury, said he is an adoptive parent and foster carer and called for 'timely decision-making when it comes to support for vulnerable children and young people so that there's continuity of support'. The minister said she agreed decisions needed to be made 'in a timely fashion' and she appreciates 'the concern that delay in this announcement has caused'.
