Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Tuesday 1st April 2025

(3 weeks, 2 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Janet Daby Portrait Janet Daby
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This Government absolutely support this fund and this funding being made available. If the hon. Member would like to share any more information regarding the 15-year-old and the family’s experience of lack of support, I would welcome him to do so.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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I thank the Minister for her answers to the urgent question—no one can doubt her compassion or understanding, given the way she has answered. I am mindful of the fact that children are our future—as a grandfather of six, I understand only too well what it means to have them there—but 18,000 children are left in limbo throughout every region of the United Kingdom, and to get to the point where there is no confirmation of whether essential therapy can continue is terribly disheartening, to say the least. These children feel abandoned. How will the Minister ensure that the lack of a decision, and the hesitation, will not add to their sense of abandonment?

Janet Daby Portrait Janet Daby
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I congratulate the hon. Member on being a grandfather of six, and I hear the concerns he has raised. I share those concerns, and the Government will continue to work to ensure that the support services are in place for all children who need it, including those who are involved with this funding.