Decision details

Councillor O’Brien, Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented the Annual Adoption Report. This is the annual report from the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA): Adoption Now. Adoption Now acts as the adoption agency on behalf of six local authorities: of Bury, Bolton, Blackburn with Darwen, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.

Members reflected on the recent work and training delivered by young people and how beneficial it was to members.

DECISION:-

·         Cabinet members note the report and consider the key issues raised within the report.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

Under the national standards for adoption, all adoption agencies must provide to their responsible body, in this case the executive side of the local authority, a written report on the management, outcomes and financial state of the agency. The report must enable the executive to monitor the management and outcomes of the services in order to satisfy themselves that the agency is effective and is achieving good outcomes for children and/or service users, Further the report should enable the executive to satisfy themselves that the agency is complying with the conditions of registration. The report should also address any previous issues raised that require action or remedy. The annual report seeks to satisfy this requirement.

Regional Adoption Agencies were formed from 2017 onwards with the aim of improving outcomes for children by delivering services at a larger scale and encouraging innovative practice. Local authorities retain a statutory responsibility for adoption, but delegate some or all this work to RAAs. On 1 August 2023, there were 32 RAAs delivering services on behalf of 149 local authorities. This means that RAAs are responsible for delivering most of the adoption practice in England.

Bury children are allocated to and held by Adoption Now social workers at the conclusion of care proceedings when a Placement Order is made authorising the placement of a child with a prospective adopting family.