Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Bradwell

Recommendations:

1.    That the report be received and the progress made and date and work completed be noted.

2.    That the planned delegation of a range of adoption functions to the new Regional Adoption Agency be endorsed.

3.    That the proposal to develop a detailed business case to underpin a new model with Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DCST) hosting the new RAA on behalf of all Local Authority members be supported.

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the national and regional position regarding the development of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs) and sought approval for the engagement of Rotherham Council, alongside the other Yorkshire and Humber Local Authorities, in partnership with the Voluntary Adoption Agencies, to build on the existing regional consortium framework to establish 3 RAAs; South; West; and North & Humber, supported by a regional hub.

It was reported that the Government saw Regionalising Adoption as a key strategy to meet its aims of adoption reform. The 2016 Children and Adoption 2016 White paper required all councils to become part of a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) by the end of the current parliament; the Secretary of State having power to enforce if necessary.

The key objectives of regionalisation were in accord with those of Rotherham’s Adoption Service:-

·           To increase the speed of decision making for children whose needs could be met through adoption.

·           To increase the number and speed of recruitment of adoptive families able to meet their needs.

·           To improve the quality and availability of support to families after adoption.

The four options, as detailed in the report, would bring about better collaboration, guidance, outcomes and economies of scale.  Option 4 was favoured given it seemed able to provide the most effective and efficient means of developing and delivering the new Regional Adoption Agency.

This report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board where it was suggested further collaboration take place with officers and Elected Members to provide further information on why this proposal needed to be taken forward, with a full understanding of the business case and proposed implementation.

Commissioner Bradwell agreed:-

1.         That the report be received and the progress and work completed to date be noted.

2.         That the planned delegation of a range of adoption functions to the new Regional Adoption Agency be endorsed.

3.         That the proposal to develop a detailed business case to underpin a new model with Doncaster Children’s Services Trust (DCST) hosting the new RAA on behalf of all Local Authority members be supported.

4.         That the Improving Lives Select Committee receive a further report on the proposed implementation in due course.