Watch my speech on restoring funding for the Adoption Support Fund

The changes to the Adoption and Specialist Guardianship Fund (ASGSF) may not have made many headlines when they were sneaked out over Easter, but their impact will be massive.

Not only did the Government drag its heels over confirming whether the fund would even be extended, but when they did confirm its continuation, they did so while also slashing the £5,000 therapy grant to £3,000 and scrapping a separate allowance altogether.

This was shocking, especially given how high demand is right now. In 2023, 38% of families reported reaching a crisis point, up from 30% in 2022.

Yet, therapists have told me that these changes will reduce the number of children they can support.

Remember, these children are among the most vulnerable members of our society and because of this government’s actions more will struggle to get the support they need.

At a Westminster Hall debate this week, I shared my reaction to the decision and called for sustainable funding for the ASGSF to be restored.