Issue - meetings

(a)          That the Committee receives  the Annual Report  (April 2018 – March 2019);

(b)          That progress be noted in relation to the Review of the North Wales Adoption Service (Autumn 2019); and

(c)          That the Committee receives an updated report on the North Wales Adoption Service in March 2020

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report to provide an overview of the performance and quality of the work of the North Wales Adoption Service.    He advised that the report identified the key activities for the period April 2018 – March 2019 and provided an update on the re-design/re-structuring of the North Wales Adoption Service (2019/2020) and the introduction of the new service element for post adoption from Spring  2020.  He invited the Resources Service Manager to present the report,

The Resources Service Manager  provided background information and referred to the Annual Report and Quality of Care Review (2018/19) and the Business Case for the review of the North Wales Adoption Service which were appended to the report.  He explained that the Annual Report was a wide ranging document which sought to capture the work and the legal, financial, and staffing arrangements of the North Wales Adoption Service.  He reported on the key areas as detailed in the report.

Members asked how the North Wales Adoption Service compared with the service offered to potential adopters in the private sector. The Resources Service Manager  explained that there was no evidence to suggest that potential adopters received a better or worse service in the private sector than that provided by the North Wales Adoption Service and said it was a matter of individual choice.  However, he commented on the ongoing quality of support and guidance provided to adopters by the North Wales Adoption Service.

Councillor Paul Cunningham spoke in support of the excellent work undertaken by the North Wales Adoption Service and the Adoption Panel. 

Councillor Dave Mackie expressed concerns around the issue of recruitment and referred to the proposals on the ‘business case’ which was appended to the report.  The Chief Officer responded to the questions raised and said he was not aware of any specific issue around recruitment in the host Authority.  Commenting on the proposal in the ‘business case’ to create additional staff posts he advised that grant funding was available from the Welsh Government to support the cost.   In response to the further comments and questions raised by Members it was agreed that a further report to provide an update on the North Wales Adoption Service be submitted to the Committee in March 2020.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor David Wisinger and seconded by Councillor Mike Lowe.

RESOLVED: 

(a)          That the Committee receives  the Annual Report  (April 2018 – March 2019);

(b)          That progress be noted in relation to the Review of the North Wales Adoption Service (Autumn 2019); and

(c)          That the Committee receives an updated report on the North Wales Adoption Service in March 2020