Agenda item

The Panel received the Annual Report on the Adoption Service 2022/2023 presented by Jodie Henderson, Practice Lead for Children and Young People’s Services (for copy of report and presentation see file). 

The Practice Lead delivered a presentation which provided information on the increased number of enquiries during the year and the positive feedback received in respect of the recruitment process and support available.  The officer highlighted the success of activity days held with Coast to Coast partners to enable children and prospective adopters to meet and socialise.

The Panel heard that issues in relation to obtaining medical information had resulted in delays for some adopters and measures were therefore put in place to track and address the issue. 

A particular focus during the year had been early permanence plans which aim to place children with foster carers who can become adopters at the earliest opportunity.  An area of work which had seen an increase in volume and complexity had been step-parent adoption.

The Practice Lead explained that plans for the future include the aim to widen the membership of the Adoption Panel and she requested members to consider a position on the Panel, with those interested in gaining further information being asked to contact the Senior Partnerships Officer.

The Chair commented that it was pleasing to see the progress and she added that it would be useful for the Panel to have more information on the work carried out to identify future priorities. The Practice Lead acknowledged the comment and used the example of work carried out on timeliness to ensure that adoptions take place within the timeframe. The Practice Lead also suggested that it may be useful to align the presentation of the Annual Adoption report with the Coast to Coast report at future Panel meetings.

Resolved:

That the recommendation in the report be approved.