Issue - meetings

[To receive the Adoption Service Report for Adoption@Heart.]

Mark Tobin, Head of Service for Adoption@Heart presented the Adoption Service Report and highlighted salient points. The interim report detailed performance for Wolverhampton as well as for the partnership as a whole.

A query was raised around the disparity between people who had registered interest in adoption and those who had been approved. It was noted that this was common and it was thought that often people registering interest in the initial stages sometimes went to another agency.

It was queried whether Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs) had any impact on the adoption rate. It was noted that it did sometimes however other forms of permanence were always explored. It was agreed that data on SGOs would be collated and provided to Councillors.

In response to a query around where Adoption@Heart staff were based, it was reported that many worked from home unless a home visit was necessary and employees could access the Civic if required.

The work was commended by the Chair and it was acknowledged that the aim of the agency was to find families to suit the needs of the children and young people.

Resolved:

1.    That the Adoption Service Report for Adoption@Heart be received.

2.    That the progress made by the Regional Adoption Agency be noted.

3.    That Special Guardianship Order data be shared with Councillors.