Photo credit: www.bbc.com

Government Cuts to Adoption Therapy Funding Draws Criticism

Recent government decisions to reduce funding for therapy available to families in England adopting children have sparked significant criticism from various charities and advocacy groups. The cuts, amounting to a 40% reduction in available resources, are seen as detrimental to families managing the complexities of adoption.

Adoption UK expressed its discontent, labelling the news as “distressing” for families who have endured prolonged uncertainties regarding the continuation of the adoption and special guardian support fund.

Previously, each eligible child could access up to £2,500 for specialist assessments and £5,000 dedicated to therapy. However, the recent adjustments have slashed the therapy funding to £3,000 annually, with funding for specialist assessments being entirely removed.

The government justified this reduction, stating it was necessary to make the fund “financially sustainable,” aiming to extend targeted support to a larger number of vulnerable children. In an email to stakeholders referenced by the BBC, the Department for Education acknowledged that the choice was a “difficult decision” driven by a marked increase in demand for the fund.

Statistics reveal that nearly 20,000 children benefitted from this initiative in the past year, a notable rise from around 13,000 in the 2019-2020 period.

The fund’s future had previously been unclear; however, the government recently confirmed its continuation through 2025-2026. In responding to an urgent inquiry in the House of Commons, Children and Families Minister Janet Daby announced that £50 million had been allocated for the current year, although the overall funding remains unchanged from the previous year.

Despite this announcement, Adoption UK emphasized that the cuts per child would have adverse effects on young individuals who have faced significant challenges early in life. Emily Frith, the charity’s chief executive, described the government’s decision as “very short-sighted,” particularly during a time when there are rising cases of adoption-related crises.

Louisa—an adoptive mother who has utilized the fund for her two sons—articulated the profound impact of therapy on their lives, stating, “Without it, we fear for their future.” She articulated concerns that the funding cuts could jeopardize her children’s well-being, their schooling, and overall family stability. Her oldest son has already reached the funding cap for therapy in the past two years but had to halt sessions earlier this year, leaving the family in a precarious situation.

Louisa relayed the anxiety and disbelief shared among families affected by these cuts, expressing fears about their children’s futures without consistent therapy support. There are reservations that after she secures a specialist assessment for her youngest son, there may be insufficient funds left for necessary therapy sessions.

In light of these changes, Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on education, children, and families, reached out to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, urging a reversal of the budget decrease and expressing disappointment that the government timing of the announcement appeared opportunistic, having come during the Easter recess.

In her correspondence, Wilson emphasized that the cuts have instigated “immense worry and stress” for households and deemed the reductions indefensible. Meanwhile, the charity Kinship, which advocates for relatives and friends caring for children in need, described the funding cuts as a “further blow” following prior disruptions to therapy stemming from delays in renewing the funding scheme.

Dr. Lucy Peake, the chief executive of Kinship, criticized the government’s inconsistent approach of promoting the scheme without providing adequate funding, suggesting it risks pushing families to their limits. The latest funding adjustments could result in additional delays for families seeking access to critical therapy, as adoption agencies reorganize their funding application processes.

The support fund remains available for adopted children and young people up to 21 years old, and up to 25 years for those with an education, health, and care plan.

Source
www.bbc.com