To consider the Adoption Agency’s Annual Report for 2014/15.

The Panel received a report of the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing on the Adoption Agency Annual Report for 2014/15.   A copy of the Annual Report was attached at Appendix A to the Executive Member’s report together with a report by the Chairman of the Joint Adoption Panel at Appendix B.  The meeting noted that the Annual Report described the activities of the Council’s Adoption Agency during that period, including achievements and the remit and focus of the Agency’s work.  The report also identified recommendations for the development of the service.

Following an introduction to the Annual Report by the Senior Practitioner – Adoption the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations drew Members’ attention to the disrupted adoptions which had occurred during 2014/15.  He stated that, of the 29 children matched for adoption in this period, there had been five disrupted placements where the adoption process had ceased.  Detailed analysis of the circumstances had been undertaken with the aim of understanding the reasons for the disruptions and the measures that could be introduced to improve practices.  He suggested that the Panel might also wish to consider this issue in greater depth.  The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations also suggested that carers be invited to attend the Panel to provide Members with details of the challenges faced by adopters and the nature of the support provided to them during the introductory process. 

The Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations next referred to the role of the Adoption Fund and the level of resources provided by the Fund and undertook to report on this matter to the next Panel meeting.

Following further discussion the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations advised the meeting of the Government’s intention to introduce legislation which would amend adoption arrangements, including the enforced merger of local authority adoption services, to ensure greater collaboration.  He added that the Council was to examine possible options on the way forward with its neighbouring authorities at an autumn workshop.

A Member on the Joint Adoption Panel suggested that the membership of the Panel should be expanded to include a parent as a lay member to present the ‘ordinary’ viewpoint on issues.  She also requested that a substitute elected Member from this Council should be appointed to attend in those circumstances when she could not.  In response the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing acknowledged the value of appointing a lay member as a counterbalance to the professional viewpoint of other members on the Joint Adoption Panel.

NOTED

the Adoption Agency Annual Report for 2014/15.

RESOLVED

1          that the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations invite carers  to a future meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel to discuss the challenges they experience with the adoption process;

2          that the Assistant Director Children’s Services Operations report to the next meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel on the role, level and availability of the Adoption Fund;

3          that further consideration be given to the appointment of a lay member/parent and to the appointment of a substitute elected Member for the Joint Adoption Panel.