Issue - meetings

Purpose

·       This report will update the Lead Member on the activity of the Portsmouth Adoption Service for the period from 1 April 2023 to 31st March 2024, as required by the Adoption regulations.

·       The Portsmouth Adoption Service is provided directly by the Adoption Team within the Council and the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA), Adopt South who find, assess and support adopters.

·       This report will describe the work of the in-house adoption team and Adopt South and provide data to support the outcomes achieved in the previous year 2023/24.

·       Lastly, it will provide an update on the progress on the priorities set out in the previous report and the priorities for the year ahead.

Dave Crew, Team Manager, introduced the report.  He explained that it provided an update on the activities of the Portsmouth Adoption Service for the 12-months to 31st March 2024, as required by the Adoption regulations. The Portsmouth Adoption Service is provided directly by the Adoption Team within the Council and the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA), Adopt South, who find, assess and support adopters. The report also describes the work of the in-house adoption team and Adopt South, provides an update on the progress on the priorities set out the previous year and the priorities for the year ahead.

Sarah Daly, Director of Children's Services, commented that as Chair of the Regional Adoption Agency Board, the positive outcomes we continue to achieve for the children across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight when compared to other RAAs is a credit to all involved.   She noted that a themed inspection had been undertaken in the past 12 months and this noted the positive outcomes of Adopt South.  The other work around listening to lived experiences and the impact of adoption and positive work around ongoing family contact is important and a significant shift.  The whole service should be proud of the work they are doing to improve outcomes for young people. 

Members' Comments

Members welcomed the report.  Councillor Suzy Horton endorsed the Director of Children's Services comments, adding that the myths and stereotypes around adoption need to be updated as the rigor around adoption and the adoption journey is very different now. 

The Cabinet Member noted the information report.