Agenda item

The Cabinet considered the business case for Adoption Regionalisation. The details were set out in the report.

In the ensuing debate, the following principal points were raised:

·         The Cabinet Member for Children and Families introduced the report and commented that this proposal was in response to the Government Policy Paper and created a shared service arrangement between this Council and Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Councils to provide greater options in the delivery of adoption agency functions. The Council had adopted the Partnership/Host Model. This model involved the creation of an Executive Board with senior representatives from each council. It was intended to consult staff before a gradual implementation of the arrangements, going live on 1 February 2018. It was intended to operate within the existing financial envelope however the key driver for the proposals was to provide greater opportunities for young people

·         This proposal should be supported as it would provide children with safeguarding and security in a family environment as quickly as possible. There were too many children presently in care.

RESOLVED: that

a)    the options outlined in the Business Case attached to the report be noted;

b)    the information contained in the report be considered;

c)    the outcomes of the staff engagement and service consultation and the equality impact assessment be considered;

d)    the Council entering into a Partnership and Hosting Agreement alongside Solihull Metropolitan Council, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council for Adoption Central England (ACE) be approved in principle to undertake the delivery of Worcestershire County Council’s adoption service and delegated authority be granted to the Director of Children, Families and Communities to approve the final details of the Partnership and Hosting Agreement;

e)    the Council entering into a partnership arrangement alongside Solihull Metropolitan Council, Warwickshire County Council and Coventry City Council for ACE be approved in principle to undertake the delivery of Worcestershire County Council’s Special Guardianship services and delegated authority to the Director of Children, Families and Communities to approve the final details of the arrangement;

f)     Warwickshire County Council becoming the host authority to facilitate the operational delivery of the adoption service and Special Guardianship support services on behalf of Worcestershire County Council be approved;

g)    the provisional financial proposals as outlined in the financial implications proposals set out in the report to fund ACE as agreed by the ACE Executive Board be agreed; and delegated authority be granted to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Director of Children, Families and Communities to agree the final value of the total cash limit;

h)    the Director of Children, Families and Communities be authorised to progress staffing secondments to Warwickshire County Council as the host authority and to review the status of those agreements within the first twelve months; and

i)     it be noted that implementation of the decisions pursuant to the above recommendations are subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State, as a result of the Secretary of State's Direction with respect to child care services at Worcestershire County Council.