Features

Regional adoption agencies: initial successes, emerging challenges

6 mins read Social Care Adoption
Evaluation of regional adoption agencies highlights mixed progress, with some starting to improve various aspects of the adoption process, while others are struggling to attract staff and develop shared IT functions.

An evaluation of new regional adoption arrangements, the first of which went live last year, has found a mixed picture in terms of progress.

Provisions set out in the Children and Social Work Act 2017 require all councils to be part of a regional adoption agency (RAA) by 2020, with the aim of bringing together council and voluntary adoption agency expertise and resources, to help speed up matching between children awaiting adoption and prospective adopters.

As of August 2018, a total of 10 RAAs were live (see map), with three more due to launch by the end of last year. The remainder will be established over the next two years, although there are currently six local authorities with no confirmed plans. In total, up to 30 regional agencies are set to be formed.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this