Sydney’s letter to the Education Secretary – ASGSF funding cuts
Sydney, an adopted young person who has received therapy and support at Family Futures, speaks out for all adopted and kinship care children who are being denied a chance to heal by the recent cuts to the ASGSF (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund). Please share this powerful letter or tag your MP on social media to help raise awareness of the impact of these changes on vulnerable children up and down the country who need us to share these important messages with the government and policy makers.
Sydney says in her letter:
“I’m asking you, from the heart, to please reverse this decision. Think about the children and young people who don’t have a voice — the ones too young or too afraid to speak up. I’m speaking for them now. We need you to invest in our futures. We need you to believe in us and to give us the tools to grow up feeling safe, supported, and strong.”
Watch Sydney’s mum, Angela, reading the letter at the Action Against ASGSF Changes protest march on 3rd May when a petition of 14,000 signatures was delivered to 10 Downing Street. The petition is still open for signatures here.
Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
Secretary of State for Education
20 April 2025
Dear Secretary of State,
Re: Reduction in the Adoption Support Fund
My name is Sydney, I am a visually impaired adopted young person who suffered significant neglect and trauma in my early years and I am writing to you not just for myself, but for all the other adopted children and young people like me across the country. I am deeply disappointed and upset about the government’s decision to cut funding for therapy and mental health support for adopted children.
Adopted children often come from difficult and sometimes traumatic backgrounds. Many of us have experienced loss, confusion, separation from our birth families, and things we shouldn’t have had to go through so young.
Because of this, therapy isn’t just helpful — it is essential.
I know many other adopted children and young people who are struggling. Some don’t have the therapy they need, and I’ve seen how hard it is for them. They’re not okay — they’re hurting, and they need help. Therapy helps us understand our past, manage our feelings, and grow into strong and healthy adults. When you take away this funding, you’re taking away our chance to heal.
You say you care about children and young people, but your actions speak louder than words. If you truly care, you will listen to our voices. You will hear us when we say we need support — not just for a little while, but for as long as it takes. Therapy isn’t a luxury for adopted kids — it’s a lifeline.
Cutting this funding tells us that we don’t matter, that our pain doesn’t matter, and that our healing isn’t worth paying for. That is not okay.
I’m asking you, from the heart, to please reverse this decision. Think about the children and young people who don’t have a voice — the ones too young or too afraid to speak up. I’m speaking for them now. We need you to invest in our futures. We need you to believe in us and to give us the tools to grow up feeling safe, supported, and strong.
Please don’t turn your back on adopted children.
Yours sincerely,
Sydney
Image of the letter to share (click on the image below to download)
Download Sydney’s letter as a pdf attachment to send with a letter to your MP
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