Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Children & Family Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/068

Contact: Hannah Farncombe, Deputy Director – Corporate Parenting & Safeguarding Tel: (01865) 815273

Report by Director for Children’s Services (CA12).

In June 2015 the Government published a paper titled Regionalising Adoption setting out proposals  for the creation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAA). An RAA is a service delivering adoption services across multiple local authority areas. There is no definitive expectation on the type of organisation that will deliver the RAA functions, but original guidance has referred to four potential models:

•              Local authority shared service

•              Local authority owned company

•              Joint venture between local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies

•              Commissioned service (out sourced to a VAA)

Most RAAs across the country are opting for a local authority based shared service and this is the option agreed by Adopt Thames Valley (ATV).

The Government has stated that it expects every local authority to be part of an RAA or to have delegated their adoption functions to one by 2020. They have also said that they will use the powers of the Education and Adoption Act 2016 to require authorities to do this from 2017 if insufficient progress is being made towards this aim.

This  report sets out the background to and seeks approval in principle for a  proposal that Oxfordshire should both join and host ATV.

CABINET is RECOMMENDED to

(a)          agree to joining Adopt Thames Valley and approve the recommendation of the Adopt Thames Valley Project Board that Oxfordshire County Council should, in principle, become the host authority for the planned new shared service (subject to satisfactory financial arrangements being agreed with the other partner local authorities); and

(b)         agree that a further report setting out the detailed financial and staffing implications be presented to Cabinet in the Spring of 2017, prior to a final decision being taken

Recommendation agreed.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an overview of plans to set up a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) across the Thames Valley Region. It described the legislative framework, potential benefits for children and families and the planned timetable for setting up the RAA.

Councillor Gill Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services and Education endorsed the recommendations, highlighting the the County’s excellent record on adoption. Councillor Sander’s only concern was that although there was initial funding there was no guarantee of ongoing government funding. It was essential that all partners continue appropriate funding. She noted the further report and agreed that it was important to see the detail before final confirmation as lead authority.

During discussion Cabinet supported the recommendations and recognised the excellent work of Hannah Farncombe and her team.

RESOLVED:to

(a)          agree to joining Adopt Thames Valley and approve the recommendation of the Adopt Thames Valley Project Board that Oxfordshire County Council should, in principle, become the host authority for the planned new shared service (subject to satisfactory financial arrangements being agreed with the other partner local authorities); and

(b)          agree that a further report setting out the detailed financial and staffing implications be presented to Cabinet in the Spring of 2017, prior to a final decision being taken.