The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) will submit a report    (Document “J”) which explains that, alongside Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield, Bradford’s adoption functions (as specified in the relevant Partnership Agreement) had been delegated to Leeds City Council on 1 April 2017 and the Regional Adoption Agency – ‘One Adoption West Yorkshire’ had been formally established.

The report summarises the developments in this service in the first six months of operation.

Recommended –

That the progress made in respect of the development of the Regional Adoption Agency: ‘One Adoption West Yorkshire’ be noted and that the progression of these arrangements be endorsed.

                                                            (Mary Brudenell – 0771 2217288)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) submitted a report (Document “J”) which reminded Members that, alongside Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield, Bradford’s adoption functions (as specified in the relevant Partnership Agreement) had been delegated to Leeds City Council on 1 April 2017 and the Regional Adoption Agency – ‘One Adoption West Yorkshire’ (OAWY) had been formally established. The report summarised the developments in this service in the first six months of operation.

The OAWY Service Delivery manager highlighted the following points:

·         Work had been undertaken with the ATiD group for adopted teenagers to obtain their views on communication issues and the improvement of services.

·         All staff had now been trained in objective assessment techniques

·         High quality assessment was recognised as a very important issue

·         A large number of recruitment/information events had taken place across West Yorkshire and larger venues were currently being sought.

·         The progress made to date was encouraging although it would take a while for the full benefit to be seen.

·         Efforts were being made to improve the matching process and make it more efficient.

·         More tracking of children was being undertaken and this would assist in providing a quick response in the event that it was decided that a child was to be adopted.

·         Two Adoption Panels were held every month in Bradford and there were seven Panels across West Yorkshire that could be used if necessary.

·         A lot of links were being developed with Health and Education colleagues.

·         The IT was a significant challenge as there had been five separate systems in use previously.

·         OAWY was leading a pilot in respect of the administration of the Adoption Support Fund and was also developing a Centre of Excellence, using a multi-agency/partnership approach, in relation to the assessment of needs and the provision of support.

The Portfolio Holder expressed her deep concern in respect of the issues with IT facilities as this had been raised as an issue at an early stage and assurances had been given that it could be resolved.

The Service Delivery Manager responded to Members’ questions:

·         Staff had relocated to a different floor in the same building as a temporary solution to issues with wifi access. At present Bradford staff were having to undertake double entry recording due to issues with connectivity and it was anticipated that this would take some time to resolve.  All OAWY staff used the MOSAIC case recording system which had been used by Leeds and which had a bespoke section for OAWY.

·         Refreshment was provided for those sitting on the Adoption Panels and the agendas were now restricted to no more than five cases.

Members expressed concern about the additional stress on staff due to the IT situation.

The Deputy Director noted that the Agency was a pathfinder and the combination of IT systems from different authorities was always likely to be problematic; he assured Members that this issue was being progressed.

The Portfolio Holder reported that an excellent video, about being in care, which had been made in conjunction with the AT-iD group, had been shown at a recent Board meeting

Members welcomed the comprehensive report on the progress of the Regional Agency.

Resolved –

(1)       That the progress made in respect of the development of the Regional Adoption Agency: ‘One Adoption West Yorkshire’ be noted and that the progression of these arrangements be endorsed.

(2)       That a further progress report be submitted to the Panel in April 2018, to include an update in respect of the Information Technology issues.

(3)       That the Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) be requested to make arrangements for Members of the Panel to see the information video produced by One Adoption Yorkshire and Humberside in conjunction with the AT-iD Group and Post Adoption Centre UK.

ACTION:       Deputy Director (Children's Social Care)