Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

That the activity and performance of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency in 2025/26, as set out in the annual report, be noted.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was satisfied that adoption statutory duties that the agency discharges on behalf of Dorset Council and the Aspire Annual Report 25/26 satisfies that these activities were discharged to a high standard in the last year.

Before presenting the report, the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education acknowledged the distress caused by the Preston Davey case and its impact on the adoption community social care colleagues and others who followed the national coverage. The Council would learn from the forthcoming children's safeguarding practise review and while such cases were rare, it remained vital to endeavour to prevent them.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education presented the annual report which provided a summary of the operational and strategic activity of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency during 2025/26.

It was proposed by Cllr C Sutton and seconded by Cllr A Robinson

Decision

That the activity and performance of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency in 2025/26, as set out in the annual report, be noted.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was satisfied that adoption statutory duties that the agency discharges on behalf of Dorset Council and the Aspire Annual Report 25/26 satisfies that these activities were discharged to a high standard in the last year.