Agenda item

(CSP: MEC, MEC1)

Purpose:  To approve plans for West Berkshire Council to join and progress developments as a Regional Adoption Agency as part of a shared service hosted by Oxfordshire County Council with a wider base group of partner authorities.  This report provides an overview of plans to set up a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) across the Thames Valley region. It sets out the legislative framework, potential benefits for children and families and describes the planned timetable for setting up the RAA.

Resolved that Adopt Thames Valley would be developed as a shared partnership to develop a new Regional Adoption Agency (RAA).

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 11 May 2017, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 7) which sought approval of plans for West Berkshire Council to join and progress developments as a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) as part of a shared service hosted by Oxfordshire County Council with a wider base group of partner authorities. The report provided an overview of plans to set up an RAA across the Thames Valley region. It set out the legislative framework, potential benefits for children and families, and described the planned timetable for setting up the RAA.

Councillor Lynne Doherty was pleased to present this report and propose its recommendations, inclusive of the governance structure. The proposal would build on the excellent practice of the Adopt Berkshire model to create Adopt Thames Valley which would incorporate seven local authorities in total. It was the intention that this enhanced collaboration would achieve a more effective and efficient service and lead to improved life chances for vulnerable children and young people.

Councillor Lee Dillon queried the rationale for the proposed footprint covered by Adopt Thames Valley. Councillor Doherty explained that the existing Adopt Berkshire partners would continue to be involved and the Thames Valley arrangement would incorporate a wider group of neighbouring authorities who had a similar ethos in this area of work.

Councillor Dillon requested clarification on the funding arrangements for the proposed new model. He noted that the allocation was based on the average number of adoption placements made over the last three financial years. West Berkshire’s average was eight, however 13 placements were made in 2015/16 and Councillor Dillon was concerned that the budget allocation set from the average figure might not be sufficient in some financial years. He queried whether it was possible to review the funding mechanism after the first year rather than setting a three year framework.

In response, Councillor Doherty confirmed that 2017/18 funding would be based on the average number over the last three years, however this would be closely reviewed over the next year to inform future years and it was recognised that this approach formed part of the transition to the proposed model.

Councillor Alan Macro pointed out that the West Berkshire Adoption Service and Adopt Berkshire had received excellent Ofsted ratings and he sought assurances that best practice would continue to be strived for. Councillor Doherty agreed with this need, it was important to ensure that existing high levels of performance were at the very least maintained. She added that partner local authorities were equally signed up to this desire with the hope that service levels could be enhanced from wider collaboration.

Councillor Macro then referred to the budget share based on the three year average. He noted that for West Berkshire this amounted to £256k. Councillor Macro queried how this compared with the current budget. Councillor Doherty explained that the figures continued to be work in progress with the final allocations to be resolved for future years. She offered to provide this in writing once finalised. Councillor Doherty did however confirm that the year one budget would be as outlined in the report.

Councillor Dillon noted that Adopt Thames Valley would be hosted by Oxfordshire County Council. He queried what would happen to this arrangement in the eventuality that Oxfordshire County Council chose to move, for example, to unitary status. Councillor Doherty advised that there would still be Children’s Services and Directors of Children’s Services in Oxfordshire and therefore the arrangement would not need to change.

RESOLVED that agreement be given to develop Adopt Thames Valley as a shared partnership to develop a new RAA.

Reason for the decision: to develop a new RAA.

Other options considered: n/a.