Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, on plans for the development of a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA), for Warrington, Wigan, St Helens, Halton and Cheshire West and Chester.

 

The Board was advised that the Government had outlined its expectations that local authorities establish Regional Adoption Agencies in an announcement on Regionalising Adoption. The rationale for this was that a greater pool of adopters would be available and that children would have a better chance of being matched with a family that could meet their needs.

 

It was reported that Halton and Cheshire West and Chester were full partners in the development of the new RAA, together with Wigan, Warrington and St Helens (WWIISH). Together, the five local authorities would provide the scale required by Government for an RAA. Further, the inclusion of Adoption Matters and Caritas Care, (both Voluntary Adoption Agencies), in the development of the RAA, provided the partnership with an opportunity to build an RAA drawing on best practice from each of the partners and to meet changing demands through the pooling of expertise and resources.

 

The report provided further detail for Members’ consideration on:-

 

·       Aims and objectives of the RAA;

·       Benefits of the RAA;

·       Project Governance arrangements;

·       Key project activities, milestones and update on progress;

·       The Communications and Engagement Plan;

·       An Options appraisal for the delivery vehicle of the RAA; and

·       The Transition Plan and Next Steps.

Reason(s) for Decision

 

A decision was required for Halton’s agreement to progress with a plan for a regional adoption agency. This was in partnership with four other local authorities and two voluntary agencies and services for adoption which were currently delivered directly by Halton, would be delivered on its behalf by the regional adoption agency.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

 

An options appraisal had been undertaken by the Project Board for the regional adoption agency.

 

Implementation Date

 

The proposed implementation date would be October 2016.

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That

 

1)    the contents of the report be noted;

 

2)    the approach being taken be agreed;

 

3)    the proposed scope and function of the RAA be agreed;

 

4)    the approach of the RAA Board to set out a transition plan and the bid for further funding in March 2016 be agreed; and

 

5)    any further requirements to achieve the RAA are delegated to the Strategic Director, People and Economy, in conjunction with the Portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families.