Popular British actress Anna Maxwell Martin is advocating for the government to reverse recent cuts to a crucial therapy fund for adopted children. The funding reduction, which impacted financial therapy support for adopted and kinship children, resulted in a 40% decrease per child earlier this year. This decision sparked widespread criticism, leading Maxwell Martin to support a campaign calling for a policy reversal before Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget announcement.
Maxwell Martin expressed her dismay at the funding cuts, emphasizing the detrimental impact on children’s lives and the long-term financial implications for the government. She stressed the importance of early investment in children’s well-being to ensure better outcomes and future contributions to society. The actress urged the government to reconsider its decision, highlighting the fundamental responsibility of adults to support and prioritize the needs of children.
In addition to her advocacy efforts, Maxwell Martin featured in a compelling video for the campaign, emphasizing the rights of all children, including adopted and kinship children, to receive adequate support and access to specialized therapy services. She emphasized the critical role of the therapy fund in providing essential assistance to vulnerable children and urged the government to heed the voices of concerned citizens by signing an open letter to Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister.
The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), amounting to £50 million for 2025-2026, aims to provide therapy and support to vulnerable children in England. Recent government changes reduced the per child funding from £5,000 to £3,000 annually, representing a significant decrease of 40%. Moreover, the funding for specialist assessments was eliminated, and the ASGSF no longer matches support for children with exceptional needs.
A survey conducted by the campaign group, Action Against ASGSF Changes, revealed that the new funding limit did not meet the needs of the majority of respondents, including adoptive parents, special guardians, and kinship carers. The community’s dissatisfaction with the reduced funding levels further underscores the importance of maintaining adequate support for children in need.
While the Department for Education acknowledged the significance of the support provided by the ASGSF, they defended the funding adjustments as necessary for the fund’s financial sustainability. The government committed to extending the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund until April 2027 and promised a public engagement process in the new year to gather feedback on effective ways to support children and families in need.