To approve the exploration of the potential of a West Mercia collaboration for the delivery of Adoption Services in Herefordshire.

Cabinet considered proposals to explore the potential for collaboration with the local authorities in the West Mercia region, to deliver adoption services in Herefordshire.  The aim of the project was to develop a single West Mercia Adoption Service that would deliver a more efficient and effective service to a wider range of children.  This was in line with central government’s aims of reducing bureaucracy and the number of adoption agencies, increasing the number of adoptions and reducing the delay in children being adopted.  It was noted that adoption services in Herefordshire were currently operating well, and were delivering good outcomes for children.  It was a very small service however, and this limited its ability to make efficiency savings, and to develop more innovative approaches for those children who were hard to place, such as older children and larger sibling groups. 

The report listed various options for delivering a collaborative service, and sought delegated approval to explore those options.  During the ensuing discussion, both Members and officers recognised the importance of ensuring that Herefordshire’s adoption service, currently rated as “good with outstanding features”, would not be reduced in effectiveness, or compromised in any way through becoming a shared authority service.  Members noted that the current adoption team was committed to providing a quality service which took account of the views of local adopters.  Herefordshire was in a good position to promote high service standards across the region, due to its current strong performance.  The collaboration would work on aspects which were more effective on a wider scale, such as advertising, and raising the profile of the service. 

RESOLVED:   that

(a)        the key objectives and outcomes of the project be approved;

(b)       the potential options for the new service be noted; and

(c)        delegated authority be given to the Director for Children’s Wellbeing to explore the opportunity to establish a shared adoption service across Herefordshire, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire and Shropshire.