Agenda item

The Practice Lead presented the six-monthly update on the Adoption Service which included details of service priorities for 2022-23 (for copy of report, see file of minutes)

It was reported that adoption performance remains strong with Durham matching children in a timely manner, utilising the wider pool of adopters within the Regional Adoption Agency.  Fostering to adopt and concurrency planning will be a key area for development in the future.

The impact of the Somerset judgement had led to discussions with legal colleagues and the review of policies to prepare the service for the impact of future caselaw. The Panel also received information on work to support birth parents whose children are placed for adoption and the role of the Pause project which supports those who have had children removed from their care.  The number of post adoption assessments continues to increase.

The Panel commended the contents of the report and the direction of travel.

Resolved:

That the recommendation in the report be approved.