Adopt South West Annual Report 2023-24

That the contents of
the Adopt South West Annual Report 2023-24 as set out in Appendix 1
to the submitted report be endorsed.

Under the national
standards for adoption, all adoption agencies must provide to their
responsible body, in this case the executive side of the local
authority, a written report on the management, outcomes and
financial state of the agency.

No other options were
considered.

This decision will
come into force and may be implemented on 3 March 2025 unless the
call-in procedure is triggered (as set out in the Standing Orders
in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Adopt South West was
the Regional Adoption Agency which undertakes adoption functions on
behalf of Torbay, as well as Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and
Cornwall.  Whilst each local authority
retained overall responsibility for their adoption services and for
their cared for children, most adoption functions were delegated to
Adopt South West.

The Adopt South West
Annual Report 2023-24 outlined key data and information relating to
these adoption functions, such as recruiting, assessing and
supporting prospective adopters, non-agency adoption work including
partner adoptions and for intercountry adoptions.  It also outlined key performance in relation to
family finding for all children with adoption plans in the Adopt
South West region as well as the support Adopt South West provided
to all parties affected by adoption, including adopters, adoptees,
adoptive families, adopted adults and birth relatives.

It was noted that the
Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board
considered the Annual Report on 27 January 2025 and supported the
recommendation to Cabinet.

At the meeting,
Councillor Bye proposed and Councillor Jackie Thomas seconded a
motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out
above.