The adoption service I manage has received a satisfactory rating from Ofsted, despite having been rated good the previous year. Our waiting times have remained the same and our matching is good, but inspectors said training and disruption services need to improve. How can we do this without extra money?
It’s always tempting to look only where inspectors find room for improvement. But it is actually better to review regularly all your key outcomes for children and adopters.
Do a survey or run a focus group with prospective adopters and those where the placement has been successful. By seeking views, you have powerful evidence to help you focus your training and support and to show why you have taken action.
The experience of established adopters could form the basis of support, training and discussion groups, which are not expensive; they help you keep in direct touch with current issues for the families.
Also, link up with surrounding authorities and voluntary agencies to share the costs. Keep good records of the survey or focus group, repeat it and you will be well informed.
Paul Clark, director, the Potential Organisation, and former director of children’s services in Harrow
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