Date: 26 JUNE 2018
APPROVAL OF THE ADOPT THAMES VALLEY SERVICE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 2018 – 2019 AND ADOPTION SERVICE ANNUAL REPORTS 2017 – 2018
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & LEARNING
1 PURPOSE OF DECISION
1.1 The purpose of the decision is to approve the Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose 2018 – 2019, created by Adopt Thames Valley on behalf of Bracknell Forest. The Bracknell Forest Adoption Service Annual Report 2017 – 2018 and the Adopt Berkshire and Adopt Thames Valley Annual Report 2017 – 2018.
2 RECOMMENDATION
2.1 That the Bracknell Forest Adoption Service Annual Report 2017 - 18 [annex 1], Adopt Berkshire and Adopt Thames Valley Annual Report 2017 – 18 [annex 2] and the Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose 2018 – 19 [annex 3] are APPROVED.
3 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
3.1 The compilation and annual review of the Statement of Purpose for the Adoption Service is a requirement under Part 1, section 4, of the Local Authority Adoption Service (England) Regulations 2003.
4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
4.1 None. It is a statutory requirement that the Statement of Purpose for the Adoption Service is reviewed annually and approved by the Executive Member.
5 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
5.1 The Statement of Purpose is the document outlining the of regulation requirements for Bracknell Forest’s practice and procedures, Adoption Agency functions have been held by Adopt Berkshire since December 2014 and the reports are an opportunity to review how this arrangement is going and the impact upon the children of Bracknell Forest who require adoption.
Adopt Berkshire is the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Wokingham Borough Council, Bracknell Forest Council and West Berkshire Borough Council who have joined their Adoption Services to provide a dedicated service for adoption across the four Local Authorities.
The main priorities of Adopt Berkshire are:
• to provide high quality adoption services for children who require placement for adoption;
• to provide a service where by applicants who are seeking to adopt within the UK can be prepared, assessed and approved for the adoption task and, where appropriate, achieve the placement of an appropriately matched child(ren) Adopt Berkshire is hosted by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, but the main office base is in Wokingham.
The post adoption functions which include support to families of children who are the subject of Special Guardianship Orders remain within the Family Placement Team at Bracknell Forest Council.
Sufficient resources exist to deliver this service.
6 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
6.1 The relevant legal provisions are addressed within the body of the report.
Borough Treasurer
6.2 The Borough Treasurer is satisfied that no significant financial implications arise from this report.
Equality Impact Assessment
6.3 Equality Impact Assessment is in place
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.4 The strategic risk identified is that if the service does not complete an annual review of the Statement of Purpose the Council will be in breach of the National Minimum Standards. There are no changes completed or proposed in the content of the service that will constitute a strategic risk.
Other Officers
6.5 The Children’s Social Care Management Team has considered and endorsed this
Statement of Purpose and annual reports in June 2017.
7 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
7.1 The relevant staff from the Family Placement service have contributed to the Statement of Purpose. A copy of the Statement of Purpose is also provided to the Ofsted Inspectorate, and it is available on the Council’s public website.
7.2 Method of Consultation
The relevant staff from the Family Placement Team have contributed to this Review.
Representations Received
7.2 There have been no representations received.
Background Papers
Bracknell Forest Adoption Agency Annual Report 2017 - 18 [annex 1]
Adopt Berkshire and Adopt Thames Valley Annual Report 2017 – 18 [annex 2]
Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose 2018 – 19 [annex 3]
Letter from Minister [annex 4]
Letter to Minister [annex 5]
Contact for further information
Peter Hodges
Head of Service, Looked After Children
Children’s Social Care
[Peter.Hodges@bracknell-forest.gov.uk]
01344-351532