Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils had had a joint adoption service since 1998.  The joint service had a combined adoption budget of £1.1million.  The majority of functions were delivered in-house with the exception of marketing for the recruitment of prospective adopters, birth parent support and counselling.  The report by the Head of Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding detailed the work undertaken since the last Portfolio Holder meeting on 12 September 2013 and outlined options for further development.

That the recommendations in the report by the Head of Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding be approved, namely:

(a)  Approve the direction of the proposed future operating model for a West Mercia Adoption Service.

(b)  Confirm the intention to move to implementation of the operating model (option 2).

(c)  Confirm the intention to move to Option 3 and agree that this decision be determined by the Portfolio Holder in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services.

(d)  Agree that implementation, including preferred providers and preferred host authority, be determined by the Portfolio Holder in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services.

Reason:

To allow collaborative work to go forward.