Motherland actress Anna Maxwell Martin is advocating for the government to reverse the severe cuts made to a crucial therapy fund intended for adopted children. The financial support for therapy, which aids adopted and kinship children, was reduced by 40% per individual earlier this year, sparking outrage. Maxwell Martin is now supporting a campaign that calls for a reversal of this decision before Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget announcement.
Expressing her concern, the Line of Duty star emphasized the negative impact of the cuts, stating that investing in these children early on leads to better outcomes in the long run. She highlighted the financial implications, noting that cutting funding now could result in greater financial burdens later on as these children may struggle to thrive and contribute to society.
In a heartfelt message directed at Reeves, Maxwell Martin stressed the importance of supporting children, urging for kindness and proper care through therapeutic interventions and education. She emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the well-being of these vulnerable children by reinstating the funding.
The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), which allocates £50 million for therapy to support vulnerable children in England until 2025-2026, faced significant reductions in funding earlier this year. The per child funding was decreased from £5,000 to £3,000 annually, a 40% decrease, and the separate specialist assessment fund was eliminated. Furthermore, the ASGSF no longer matches funds for children with exceptional needs.
A campaign group, Action Against ASGSF Changes, conducted a survey that revealed the inadequacy of the new funding limit in meeting the needs of adopted children, with 85% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction. The Mirror previously reported on the ASGSF cuts, sharing personal stories that highlighted the positive impact of therapy funded by the scheme.
In response to concerns, a spokesperson from the Department for Education affirmed their commitment to supporting adopted and kinship families. They announced the continuation of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund until April 2027, ensuring ongoing assistance for these families. The spokesperson mentioned plans for a public engagement process in the coming year to gather feedback on how best to support children and families effectively.