Agenda item

(To receive a report from Yvonne Shearwood, Children's Services Manager - Regulated (South and Adoption), which provides the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of the adoption service)

Consideration was given to a report from Yvonne Shearwood, Children's Services Manager – Regulated (South and Adoption), which provided the Panel with an overview of the adoption service.

The Panel noted that under the requirements of the National Standards, members, in their role as Corporate Parents should be informed on a regular basis about the activity of the Adoption Service.  Detailed at Appendix A to the report was a copy of the Annual Adoption Report 2019/2019; and at Appendix B was a copy of the Adoption Statement of Purpose for the Panel to consider. 

It was highlighted that the challenges for 2018/19 had been to adjust services in line with the significant service development from the previous year; whilst maintaining high levels of performance against government targets.  It was highlighted further that performance in 2019/19 against the key threshold measures in the adoption scorecard had improved both for the single year and for the three year rolling average.  The Panel was advised that the number of adoptions completed was back to the average, but the timescales had improved.  It was noted that the number of children waiting at year-end had decreased due to the team being proactive in family finding. 

The Panel noted that in October 2015, the service had achieved a judgement of 'Outstanding', which was a strong endorsement of the professionalism and expertise within the team and the confidence shown to the service by senior managers and the council as a whole.  The Panel noted further that in March 2017, it was announced that Lincolnshire was to be a 'Partner in Practice.' 

It was highlighted that going forward the Service would be looking to positively respond to the challenges presented, whilst maintaining its strong focus on delivering excellent outcomes for the children of Lincolnshire who have a plan for adoption.

During discussion, the Panel made reference to the following points:-

·         Work was taking place with Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland putting together a business case on how the requirements of the government could be delivered for a new regional adoption agency for the East Midlands.  Lincolnshire had been rated as an outstanding adoption agency for the last 10 years, and there would be a need for careful management to ensure the authority could support the other authorities whilst not negatively affecting its own service.

·         The YOS model was being looked at, as it was noted that this was a well established model.  A lot of work had been carried out so far and assessment processes had been aligned, as well as work on family funding and family medical officers.  Operationally, the region was in a very good place.

·         It was commented that there could be significant variation in terms of attendance by adopters at support groups.  When families were in crisis they may be more likely to feel that it would be of benefit to attend the groups.  Officers were looking at ways to make it more meaningful for these families.  Officers were not concerned about the lack of engagement.

·         It was commented that this was a good report, and it was pleasing to see that numbers of adoption orders had increased.  The majority was still for the 0 – 5 age range.

·         In terms of adoption, as part of the proceedings it was considered in the application to court what would be in the best interest of the child if they were not able to go back to their parents or other family members.  There were a number of factors to consider, and one of those was age, another was any trauma the child had experienced.  In older children the trauma was often manifested in such a way that meant carers were not able to take them on.

·         Reference was made to a cap on applications to the Adoption Support Fund, and it was queried what this money was for.  The Panel was advised that this funding was to support placements, and a cap had been introduced as there was a limited budget, and there was a need to ensure that sufficient support could be offered for all families that requested it.  If there were extenuating circumstances it could be possible to increase the amount available.

·         It was noted that the £4.5m of start-up funding that was promised by the government did not seem like a lot of money for the whole country.  Officers advised that they would ensure that any funding that was received would be spent wisely.

·         Members commented that they were pleased to variety of social activities being arranged.  It was noted that the aim was to encourage children to experiment and go beyond their comfort zones.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Adoption Service Annual Report and Statement of Purpose be noted.

2.    That the Adoption Service Annual Report and Statement of Purpose be approved.