Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet has given its support to the establishment of a National Adoption Service for Wales and the council will work with the four neighbouring Gwent authorities to provide adoption facilities for the area.
This follows a review of legislation by the UK government to encourage more people to adopt and a framework proposed by the Welsh Government to deliver services on a regional basis across the country.
Monmouthshire currently provides adoption services in partnership with Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent but the new formal structure – to take effect from 1st April 2014 – will also include Caerphilly and Newport and will be known as the South East Wales Adoption Service. Blaenau Gwent will undertake the administration of the service which will be based in Mamhilad.
The South East Wales Adoption Service will generate long term and lasting improvements to address weaknesses identified in some elements of the current provision and will also bring a reduction in bureaucracy and a streamlining of service delivery. Other benefits include improvements for key players, including the voluntary sector, to access the service and the opportunity for local authorities as a whole to respond effectively to rising pressures within the care system.
The main functions of the service will be to ensure compliance with legislation and regulation, to recruit and assess prospective adopters, to ensure the appropriate matching of children, to provide a range of support services, liaise with overseas authorities and maintain effective links with children’s social services departments.
Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for social care and health, Councillor Geoff Burrows said:
“We have demonstrated a significant commitment over the years to both shared services and partnership working so we welcome the formation of the South East Wales Adoption Service and the benefits it will bring with the national body to improve the life chances of children needing a permanent home”.
