A mother has described government cuts to therapy funding for adopted children as "disgusting".
Lucy Williams, from Gloucestershire, adopted her daughter four years ago and has used the fund for specialist assessments and play therapy.
But the government announced in April that the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) would be cut by 40% per child and Ms Williams is now worried her daughter may not be able to access the therapy she needs.
The Department for Education said the decisions it has taken "will ensure the fund is financially sustainable to allow more vulnerable children to access targeted support".
Ms Williams, who describes her daughter as "sassy" with a "wicked laugh", said the fund had been a lifeline for them – giving them a framework to follow in order to support her needs.
'Most vulnerable'
The funding would usually cover specialist occupational therapy, play therapy and time with a counsellor, which Ms Williams says is vital for young people, many of whom have faced early trauma.
"This support is not a luxury, it's an absolute necessity," Ms Williams said, adding that the cuts were "short sighted".
"There will be a cost to the country, because these kids will need to access various things throughout their life, every professional will tell you that the earlier the intervention the better the outcome," she said.
"Stripping this away from some of the most vulnerable young people in our society is not the answer."
