Issue - meetings

(a)       That the annual report for the National Adoption Service be noted; and

(b)       That the annual report for the North Wales Adoption Service be noted.

The Service Manager (Resources) presented the reports on national and regional adoption activities in 2016-17 along with future objectives for 2017-18.  As the Council’s lead officer on adoption, he highlighted the lifelong impact on all of those involved in the adoption process.

A number of key challenges and actions had been taken from the reports including the need for extensive post-adoption support to adopters of children with complex needs.  The findings of the regional report indicated a low number of disrupted placements which reflected the proactive approach being taken in Flintshire.

Councillor Hilary McGuill asked if focus on the child’s life pre-adoption could potentially have a detrimental impact on that individual and their adopters.  The Service Manager said that evidence demonstrated that generally it was more important for children to understand their life history and that the service was committed to working with adopters to help them relate to that experience as the child matured.  On the issue of adopted children wanting contact with siblings, this was a sensitive matter made more challenging by social media.

Councillor Kevin Hughes felt that the photographs used in the national report could have included a wider representation of ethnic backgrounds.  The Service Manager spoke about the progressive approach taken by the service in recognising the needs of adopted children.

In response to questions from Councillor Gladys Healey, the Service Manager explained that although there were no age restrictions on potential adopters, a number of factors were taken into consideration to meet the needs of all involved.  He advised that many adopters were expressing a preference for female children under 3 years old and would provide details of children currently on the waiting list.

Councillor Marion Bateman asked about the medical history of the birth family of the child and was told that this was taken into consideration as part of the adoption process to assist with any future issues.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the annual report for the National Adoption Service be noted; and

(b)       That the annual report for the North Wales Adoption Service be noted.