Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help.

Decision

(a)       That the activity undertaken by Aspire Adoption to secure adoption and special guardianship families for children, be noted;

(b)       That Cabinet notes that the Interagency Agreement (appendix 2 of the report) was under review to reflect that there were two Councils involved rather than three.

Reason for the Decision  

In accordance with the provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, all local authorities have a duty to establish and maintain an adoption service in their area, to meet the needs in relation to adoption, of children who have or may be adopted, of adults who have been adopted, parents and guardians of such children and persons who have or may adopt a child.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help presented the Aspire Annual Adoption report for the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.  This report summarised the PAN Dorset work of the agency, which included ensuring that the statutory guidance are met. 

Aspire Adoption works in partnership with Families for Children, a Voluntary Adoption Agency based in Devon but with an office in Dorset.

The report also details the adoption and special guardianship activity undertaken to secure permanence for Dorset Council’s children.

Cabinet noted the report and welcomed that 40 children had been adopted during this period.

Decision

(a)       That the activity undertaken by Aspire Adoption to secure adoption and special guardianship families for children, be noted;

(b)       That Cabinet notes that the Interagency Agreement (appendix 2 of the report) was under review to reflect that there were two Councils involved rather than three.

Reason for the Decision  

In accordance with the provisions of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, all local authorities have a duty to establish and maintain an adoption service in their area, to meet the needs in relation to adoption, of children who have or may be adopted, of adults who have been adopted, parents and guardians of such children and persons who have or may adopt a child.