To receive the Adoption Service Statement of Purpose for 2016/17.

The Panel considered a report on the Adoption Service draft Statement of Purpose for 2016/17.  The draft Statement, a copy of which was attached at Appendix A to the report, had been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Authority Adoption Service (England) Regulations 2003 and Standard 18 of the National Minimum Standards for Adoption 2011.

The Practice Manager Adoption introduced the report and highlighted the changes which had been incorporated into the draft Statement. 

The Chairman sought an update regarding the forthcoming regional adoption agencies.  In response, and to set the matter in context, the Assistant Director Children’s Service Operations first reminded Members that the government had introduced legislation which required local authorities to participate in regional adoption agencies.  The government felt that local adoption services were too small and fragmented and that regional agencies could offer greater expertise and enable a faster and easier matching of adopters and children. 

The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations and Head of Corporate Parenting then briefed the Panel on the current situation regarding Central Bedfordshire Council’s proposed membership of the regional adoption agency known as the Eastern Region Consortium (ERC) which operated under the lead of Corum, the UK children’s charity.  The meeting noted that the Consortium’s 12 month project plan was expected to be made available soon and the Department for Education would decide on its suitability by the end of May 2016.  The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations warned Members of the possible substantial increase in funding which could be required to provide an adoption service  under the ERC, although Members noted that the financial arrangements had yet to be fully costed.  The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations stressed that should the Consortium’s service costs prove unsustainable then consideration would be given to membership of an alternative consortium.

Extensive discussion followed during which the Assistant Director Children’s Services responded to Members’ queries.  He emphasised that the Council, like other relevant local authorities, had no direct input into the project management of the proposed regional adoption agencies; the relationship was between the DfE and the voluntary adoption agencies like Corum who would take the lead in any consortium.

The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations stated that Corum was fully aware of the Council’s concerns regarding the proposals and representatives from that body were scheduled to meet him to provide reassurance.  He undertook to brief the Panel regularly on developments in this area.

RESOLVED

1          that the Adoption Service draft Statement of Purpose 2016/17 be approved and adopted;

2          that reports on the outcome of attempts to establish a regional adoption agency be submitted to the Panel for consideration on a regular basis.