TO: EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & LEARNING
21ST september 2020
APPROVAL OF THE ADOPT THAMES VALLEY SERVICE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 2020 – 2021 AND ADOPT THAMES VALLEY ANNUAL REPORT 2019– 2020
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: PEOPLE
1 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 The purpose of the decision is to approve the Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose 2020 – 2021, created by Adopt Thames Valley on behalf of Bracknell Forest and the Adopt Thames Valley Annual Report 2019 – 2020.
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1 Whilst there have been updates to the Statement of Purpose there are no significant
changes from the previous year and it can be delivered within existing resources.
3 RECOMMENDATION
3.1 That the Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose 2020-21 [annex 1] and the Adopt Thames Valley Annual Report 2019 – 20 [annex 2] are APPROVED.
4 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
4.1 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.
5 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
5.1 None. It is a statutory requirement that the Statement of Purpose for the Adoption Service is reviewed annually and approved by the Executive Member.
6 SUPPORTING INFORMATION
6.1 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.
7 ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS
Borough Solicitor
7.1 The legal issues are addressed within the report.
Director of Finance
7.2 The ATV service is charged to partners through a cost sharing contract, based on the number of children placed for adoption. Charges will therefore reflect demand, with any significant changes between years needing to be considered as part of the annual budget setting process.
Equalities Impact Assessment
7.3 Equality Impact Assessment is in place
Strategic Risk Management Issues
7.4 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
7.5 The Children’s Social Care Management Team has considered and endorsed this
Statement of Purpose and annual reports in August 2020.
8 CONSULTATION
Principal Groups Consulted
8.1 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.
Method of Consultation
8.2 The relevant staff from the Family Placement Team have contributed to this Review.
Representations Received
8.3 There have been no representations received.
Background Papers
Adopt Thames Valley Statement of Purpose 20-21 [annex 1]
Adopt Thames Valley Annual Report 2019 – 20 [annex 2]
Contact for further information
Peter Hodges
Head of Service, Life Chances
Children’s Social Care
[Peter.Hodges@bracknell-forest.gov.uk]
01344-351532