Agenda item

Briefing note on  Adoption Agencies and the adoption process.

The committee considered  a briefing  on the adoption agencies as a prelude  to the end of year report on adoption and permanence panel.  The briefing  advised that the all local authorities had a duty to provide an adoption service  but were not  obliged to provide all the facilities of an adoption service itself, and could make use of the services provided by voluntary adoption agencies and adoption support agencies. The services provided by the adoption agency would include:

• Deciding whether a child should be placed for adoption
• Preparing , assessing and approving prospective adopters
• Matching and proposing a placement
• Adoption Support Services
• Post Adoption services

The committee noted that the clear care planning with permanency was the key element to finding adoptive families for looked after children. In the interest of the child’s welfare , timing was crucial and delays following the agreement that the  child should be adopted were not acceptable. The key responsibilities of the local authority were set out ,  as adoption is a highly regulated process  as it involves sensitivities with the children , adopters and parents. There was also information on membership of the adoption panel, its responsibilities and reporting lines . As previously noted, the Haringey Adoption service belongs to the North London Adoption Consortium and the council would work together with the consortium partners  by sharing information on prospective adopters  and arranging training for applicants, adoptive families and staff.

In response to the question on the  benefits  of exchanging adopters within the consortium , the  committee  were advised  that there was no profit or loss to the council with the  exchange of adopters as the boroughs recruited similar numbers of adopters. This partnership allowed the  local authorities to have a greater opportunity to match children with the most appropriate adopters.

In response to the use of the  adoption process for older children, it was noted  that   this may not be the best  option as  there will be issues with how the  older child  bonding with a new environment .

The committee discussed the valuable and  dedicated work of the adoption panel. The meetings would often last a full day  with the reading of the reports also a full day task. The committee  commented on the potential need to look further at the work of the panel and whether there was a need to assign a second  councillor to this panel to share the workload. . In response it was noted that there  was due to be an inspection of   the adoption service , following which there would be recommendations form this for the Committee to consider.

It was important for the committee to note that there was equally  a  high volume of work associated with  arranging and agreeing  long term foster  carers. If the child/young person settled well in the  long term placement there would be  potential to then offering  to the  foster carer the option of the special guardianship order.

 RESOLVED

That the report be noted

In recognition of  the dedication and  commitment required by  members of the adoption panel, the committee placed on record their  thanks and appreciation  to Councillor Solomon for her continuing work on this panel.