Issue details

Formation of a Regional Adoption Agency

In June 2015 the Department for Education (DfE) published a paper, Regionalising Adoption, which proposed the move to regional adoption agencies in order to:

        Speed up matching between children and adopters

        Improve adopter recruitment and adoption support

        Reduce costs

        Improve the life chances of vulnerable children.

 

Since this time West Sussex County Council, in conjunction with Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex and Surrey County Councils has developed a proposal to deliver its adoption services via a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA), Adoption South East (ASE).  In October 2017 local authorities were advised of continued ministerial resolve to complete regionalisation by April 2020.  The Adoption South East arrangement now requires formalising to meet the Government’s expectation that all local authorities become part of a RAA by April 2020.

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 division;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Divisions affected: (All Divisions);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 01/07/2019

Decision due: October 2019 by Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Lead member: Councillor Paul Marshall paul.marshall@westsussex.gov.uk

Contact: Wendy Wood, Group Manager- Adoption and Permanent Placement Email: wendy.wood@westsussex.gov.uk Tel: 033 022 25340.

Consultation process

Representations concerning this proposed decision can be made to the Cabinet Member via the officer contact, by the beginning of the month in which the decision is due to be taken

Consultees

Staff

Children and Young People’s Services Select Committee

Democratic Services Contact: Wendy Saunders - 033 022 22553

Background3: Best Start in Life

Decisions

Background papers

  • None