Helen Maguire hails “massive win” as Lib Dems secure £50m funding for vulnerable children’s support after months of Government “dither and delay”

The Liberal Democrats have secured £50 million in renewed funding for therapeutic support for adopted children or those looked after by guardians, dragging Ministers “kicking and screaming” to renew the fund – with Starmer U-turning on last week’s PMQs answer that the “welfare scheme overall is not defendable on terms”.

The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund provided therapy for 18,030 young children who were adopted or living with special guardians in 2024 – including survivors of early trauma and abuse.

Helen Maguire MP wrote to the Minister for Children and Families, Janet Daby MP to express her deep concern regarding the future of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), after her constituents, the parents of two adopted children, shared their personal experience of the ASGSF and the critical role it has played in supporting their family, as they struggled to access adequate SEN services.

Families have been left in limbo without information, and the organisations that provide the therapy have also been put in an incredibly difficult position, with question marks as to whether they will all still be able to carry on providing the support that’s needed, as a result of this delayed announcement.

In the House of Commons, the Minister for Children and Families finally confirmed that £50 million in funding would be allocated to the scheme.

Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire, said:

“This £50 million funding guarantee for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), is a massive win for families and vulnerable children across the country and here in Epsom & Ewell.

“ASGSF has provided a vital lifeline for thousands of families, and Adoptive parents and kinship carers will be utterly relieved to know that funding for this vital resource will be continued for the next year at least.

“But the months of dither and delay from the Government have been completely unacceptable - leaving vulnerable young people in Epsom & Ewell - and their families in the dark about whether life-changing support will be pulled out from under their feet. 

“I am relieved that the Government has finally listened to the Liberal Democrats’ calls and I will fight to ensure every vulnerable child and family in Epsom & Ewell has the best possible future.”