6 monthly adoption report June 2006
BOROUGH OF POOLE
REPORT TO COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
MARCH 2007
REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BOROUGH OF POOLE
ADOPTION SERVICE
- Purpose of Report
1.1.As required by National Adoption Standards, to provide an Update Report on the activity and performance of the Borough of Poole Adoption Service between April 2006 and March 2007.
- Recommendations Required
2.1.That members note the performance outlined in the Report.
2.2.That members note the attached Improvement Plan, following the Commission for Social Care Inspection – date of inspection 10th October 2006
2.3.That members make other recommendations regarding the service as appropriate.
- Adoption Service Performance
3.1.National Adoption Standards require Adoption Agencies to report on adoption performance to elected members at a minimum of six monthly intervals. The following information outlines performance in this area for the periods April 2005 to March 2006, and April 2006 to March 2007.
3.2 Numbers of looked after children adopted
April 2005 – March 2006 / April 2006 – March 2007Number of adoption orders made / 5 / 6
Children looked after for 6+ months / 99 / 102
Adoption orders as a percentage of CLA / 5.1% / 5.9%
2005/6 average figures for the percentage of children looked after (for at least 6 months) adopted:
National average7.6%
South West Region7.5%
Poole’s benchmarking authorities7.1%
Poole’s performance for the period April 2006 – March 2007 has improved on the previous years’ performance and the number of children looked after for more than 6 months who have been adopted is moving closer to the comparator averages. The statistics reflect the fact that there have been fewer sibling groups placed for adoption.
There are currently 3 children placed for adoption, for whom applications for adoption orders are being made this year, 2 children have been matched with prospective adopters and a further 3 children are being presented to adoption panel in April 2007. The expectation is, therefore, that there is likely to be an increase in adoption activity in the period 2007 /2008
There are a number of factors which might have influenced the adoption activity in the 2006 - 2007 period, including organisational factors. The major restructuring of Children and Families Services will have impacted on work flow and it has been acknowledged that the recruitment and retention of qualified staff has been problematic. This latter point has been addressed through the Recruitment and Retention Policy that has now been implemented.
It is acknowledged in the Report following the Inspection of the Adoption Service (Oct 2006) that the above organisational changes will have a positive impact upon permanence planning for children.
3.3. The individual profile of children adopted in 2006/7 is as follows:
Child / Gender / Age / Ethnicity / Adopted as Sibling Group / Adoption Timescale - Agency Decision that child should be placed for adoption to Placement (Target 365/366)1 / Male / 1 / Mixed - Other / No / 299
2 / Male / 3 / White British / No / 385
3 / Male / 1 / White British / No / 321
4 / Female / 1 / White British / No / 189
5 / Male / 13 / Mixed - White & Black Caribbean / Yes (2) / 1752
6 / Male / 13 / Mixed - White & Black Caribbean / Yes (2) / 1752
Three black or minority ethnic children were adopted in 2006/7, an increase from 0 in 2005/6. For comparison, 7% of all children looked after in Poole are from black and minority ethnic groups. Caution should be exercised however when considering these figures due to the small numbers involved.
The considerable length of time that children 5 and 6 appear to have waited before being placed for adoption needs to be seen in the context of the complex circumstances of these children. The children came into the care of Poole following an adoption breakdown. The children had been placed by another authority with adopters who had been assessed by a voluntary adoption agency. This adoption broke down in April 2001. The children spent a year in the care of short term foster carers while a permanent placement was identified. Given the age and complex needs of the boys it proved difficult to find adoptive parents. The boys were placed with long term foster carers who matched the boys ethnic needs. The success of this foster placement culminated in the carers being approved as adopters in June 2006 and the boys were adopted in December 2006.
There have been improvements in the length of time from the Agency Decision that a child should be placed for adoption to placement. In the period 2005/6 only one child was placed within the target timescale. In 2006/7 this has risen to 3. With children 5 and 6 waiting a year before being placed with their permanent carers. The length of time from Agency Decision to placement needs to be considered with caution since the point at which it is possible to place a child for adoption is determined by the court proceedings. Therefore, the figures not only reflect social services planning for the child but also the court timetabling.
What is noticeable from the table above is the change in age of the children adopted in 2006/7 compared to the ages of children adopted in 2005/6. With the exception of children 5 and 6 all of the children were under 3 years in age, whereas for 2005/6 the youngest child was 4 years, with the remaining being 6 years and over. Notwithstanding the comments raised in 3.2 in respect of adoption activity, these figures may reflect the developing improvements in the planning process and quality assurance mechanisms, which means that children permanence plans are being considered in a more timely manner.
3.4Children awaiting an adoption placement, where the Agency Decision has been made that the child should be placed for adoption.
The individual profile of children awaiting an adoption placement in March 2007 is as follows:
Child / Gender / Age / Ethnicity / Sibling Group1 / Female / 1 / White British / No
2 / Female / 2 / White British / No
3 / Female / 3 / White British / No
As with table 3.3 there has been a noticeable change in the age range of the children awaiting an adoption placement. Of the 7 children awaiting adoption up to March 2006 only 1 was under the age of 6 years. Also noticeable is that none of the children currently awaiting placement are part of a sibling group.
Family finding for these children is progressing successfully. For child 3 the current carers are being assessed as adopters, alongside family finding activities. Child 1 has been to matching panel. Child 2 is profoundly deaf and a family is currently being actively considered, alongside continued family finding.
3.5Children placed for adoption awaiting orders
The individual profile of children placed for adoption awaiting orders inMarch 2007is as follows:
Child / Gender / Age / Ethnicity / Sibling Group / Adoption Timescale BI Decision to Placement (Target 365/366 days)1 / Female / 2 / White British / No / 272
2 / Male / 10 / White British / No / 1672
3 / Female / 0 / White British / No / 107
6 / Female / 1 / White British / No / 194 (planned)
There has been an improvement in the timescale between Agency Decision that the child should be placed for adoption and placement. This improvement is also projected to be the case for the children currently awaiting placement (3.4).
The exception is child 2. The circumstances for this child are particular in so far as he was placed with kinship foster carers on in 2004 and due to his complex needs further assessment was needed before a decision to progress for adoption was appropriate.
Between April 2007 and March 2008 the overall number of children adopted, or placed for adoption is projected to be 12, with adoption orders made for at least 7 of that number.
3.6Adoption timescales
i) For children adopted during the year the percentage who were placed for adoption within 12 months of the Agency Decision that the child should be placed for adoption
April 2005 – March 2006 / April 2006 – March 2007Achieving 12 month timescale from best interest decision to placement date / 1/5/ = 20% / 3/6 = 50%
Average duration at this stage / 419 days / 783 days
2005/6 average figures for children placed for adoption within 12 months of best interest decision are:
National average75%
South west region64%
Poole’s benchmarking authorities77%
3 of the 6 children adopted in 2005/6 were placed for adoption within 12 months of best interest decision. One child missed the timescale by 20 days. Two children were placed with foster carers, the circumstances of which have been outlined in 3.3 above. In respect of these children the length of time between the Agency Decision that the children should be placed for adoption and being placed, affected the average duration at this stage (increasing it from 419 days in 2005/6 to 783 days in 2006/7).
A number of factors influence adoption timescales include :-
- Protracted court proceedings due, for example, to appeals, change in parents’ circumstances.
- Assessment of family/friends as potential permanent carers, sometimes in complex circumstances.
The increase in timescale from 20% in 2005/6 to 50% in 2006/7 represents animprovement, although falls short of the average figures. It is expected that there will be further improvement in the period 2007/8.
4. Adoption and Permanence Panel
The Panel continues to meet monthly. It makes recommendations to the Head of Children and Families Services Unit as to the acceptance of a child for adoption, for matching of a child to suitable prospective adoptive parents, and for the approval of prospective adoptive parents. The Panel will also be asked to make recommendations in cases where a child looked after is the subject of an application for a Special Guardianship Order.
In addition, the Panel monitors the progress of children awaiting adoptive placements and those who have been placed with prospective adoptive parents but where Adoption Orders have not yet been made. The Panel Adviser updates panel members on the progress of these children.
The Panel is independently chaired, has regular access to medical and legal advice, and is ably supported by a Panel Administrator from Legal and Democratic Services. Panel members have had training and regular briefings on the implementation of the Adoption and Children Act (December 2005).
From April 2007 Independent Panel Members will be offered a fee per panel for their services.
5. Adoption Support Services
The implementation of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 has been an impetus for a review of the arrangements for adoption support. A newly appointed post of Senior Practitioner in the adoption team will include the function of Adoption Support Services Adviser as required in the legislation.
Adoption allowances are being reviewed in line with the guidance issued with the legislation.
5.1 Post Adoption Exchange of Information
There are currently 78 adoption information exchanges facilitated by the Adoption Team involving indirect contact between adopters and birth relatives. There are 14 arrangements, involving 23 adopted children, where there are agreements for direct contact with a birth relative or relatives.
This is an increasing area of activity within the adoption service. The review of contact arrangements generates some complex work with birth parents, adoptive parents and adoptees.
5.2 Independent Services to Birth Relatives
Since 1st June 2006, independent adoption support services for birth parents have been commissioned from a Voluntary Adoption Agency, Families for Children. This agency is based in Exeter, with a local office in Wimborne. Families for Children has been contracted by the Borough of Poole, Dorset County Council, and Bournemouth Borough Council.
In addition to making referrals to an independent service the Poole Adoption Team works with birth relatives, currently two birth parents have allocated workers, although as highlighted in 5.1 there is also work with birth parents generated through the Post Adoption Exchange of Information In conjunction with Bournemouth Adoption Team there is a bi-monthly support group for birth parents who have relinquished their children.
5.3. Services to Adopted Adults
The adoption team undertakes counselling, support and advice services to adopted adults seeking access to their records. Currently there are 17 cases open.
5.4 Post Adoption support for adoptive families
The Adoption and Permanence Team is currently providing post adoption support to 8 families.
6. Inter country Adoptions
A small number of enquiries have been made to the Borough of Poole from people wishing to apply to adopt a child from overseas. A self-employed social worker with specialist knowledge has been commissioned to undertake one assessment (now complete).
A service level agreement has been made with a registered adoption agency, Parents and Children Together (PACT). It is proposed that in the future PACT will undertake all assessment work in regard to these applications. They will undertake the approval and offer support.
7. Consortia Links
The Borough of Poole Adoption Agency continues to be a member of the South Coast Adoption Consortium. Adoption placements are offered between the authorities on an exchange basis and there is no payment between consortium members. The Borough of Poole is also a member of the South West Adoption Consortium and placements are exchanged on a fee paying basis. Both consortium are forum for policy and practice development.
The period of change following the implementation of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 on 30th December 2005 continues. The regular inter agency links through the consortia, together with continuing dialogues with British Association of Adoption and Fostering, and the Department for Education and Skills, have been valuable in ensuring the agency has access to updated information about the interpretation of the legislation.
8. Non – Agency Adoptions
In the period April 2006 – March 2007 the Adoption Team had 7 new referrals where a step-parent was applying to adopt their step child or where there were other non-agency applications for adoption.
9. Special Guardianship Orders (SGO)
The adoption team will be responsible for assessing the suitability and support needs of people making applications for Special Guardianship Orders. Depending upon the circumstances of the case the adoption worker’s role will be supporting the Family Support team or the Safeguarding and Permanence team to undertake the report writing. In other cases the adoption social worker will have full responsibility for the case.
In the period 2006 /7 There were 2 SGOs made. Neither child was previously looked after. A further Notification from a foster carer has been received in respect of an SGO application and a non-agency placement SGO is currently being assessed with the Family Support Service.
10. Management of service
Following restructuring in 2006 management posts have been appointed including the post of senior practitioner.
The small adoption team has co-operative links with neighbouring authorities. This enables some joint staff training, and support , social events and training for adopters.
Preparation groups for prospective adopters are organised by the Poole Adoption Team once a year. There are co-operative arrangements with neighbouring authorities to access their training groups to ensure that prospective adoptive parents, being assessed, have timely access to preparation groups.
CSCI Inspection
The Commission for Social Care Inspection inspects each adoption agency every three years. The Poole Adoption Agency was inspected in October 2006 and received and overall rating of ‘good’. The Improvement Plan, following this inspection is attached.
Page 1 of 14
6 monthly adoption report June 2006
Adoption Service Improvement Plan – Inspection October 2006
Statutory Requirements
No. /Standard
/ Regulation /Requirement
/Action
/ Timescale for action1 / AD10
AD 33 / Adoption Agencies Regs 2005 7 / The Agency must have written policy and procedural instructions governing panel and all aspects of the adoption agency work. / The Agency has, within the timescale, put plans in place to ensure that all policies and procedures are revised in line with current legislation. The appointment of a Senior Practitioner in the team and some temporary help from a Policy Officer has enabled progress to be made but a more realistic timescale for completion is June 07. / 30/12/06
2 / AD21 / The Local Authority Adoption Service (England) Regs 2005 10 / The Agency must ensure there are sufficient qualified and experienced staff working for the purposes of the agency. / The implementation of the Recruitment and Retention Plan is addressing the staffing issues in the child care teams and new members of staff are being recruited.
Mentoring of all child care staff by adoption social workers in respect of adoption matters is ensuring that a social worker with experience in adoption matters is involved in every case. / 31/03/07
3 / AD27 / The Adoption Agencies Regs 2005 39 / The Agency must ensure that adoption records are kept in secure conditions at all times. / Storage and archiving options are being explored to ensure that statutory requirements are met. Options include:
1. Improving current arrangements. This requires a thorough risk assessment of arrangements in the ex-caretaker's flat above the court building, together with commitment to fund any required actions. These will include window locks, possibly extra security arrangements and a fireproof cupboard within the locked room.
2. Alternative archive provision to be made available within the adoption team area, e.g. by conversion of the gentleman’s toilet - provision of appropriate shelves and a fire proof door.
3. Commission an external storage provider. Options explored in 2006. Cost likely to be from £600 - £1,000 per year. / 31/03/07
4 / AD28 / The Local Authority Adoption Service (England) Regs 2005 15 / The agency must maintain up to date records for staff and adoption panel members / Discussions have been held and advise given to the Borough Personnel dept to ensure that they are aware of the requirements of the staff files. All files will be updated to ensure that there is the required information on the files.
Copies of Panel members photos can be kept on file. / 30/12/07
5 / AD5 / The Adoption Agencies Regs 2005 15(1) / The Agency must obtain, so far as is reasonably practicable, all relevant information about the child as specified in Schedule 1 / Quality Assurance measures are in place to improve the standard of the Child Permanence Reports (CPR), as specified in Schedule 1 including;
- Mentoring of child care social workers by adoption SWs.
- Training in writing CPRs as part of a programme of training / workshops on Poole’s Permanence Policy.
- All CPRs to be updated on a 6 monthly basis and CCSWs to provide monthly updates to Adoption Panel on the progress of children for whom there has been a decision that the child should be placed for adoption.
Recommendations