Government announces £50m for adoption fund after concerns over delay
MPs from across the House criticised the Government for the delayed announcement, accusing it of leaving children in ‘limbo’.
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.
