THE REGIONAL adoption agency for Worcestershire and other areas has been praised by Ofsted in a report published last month.
Adoption Central England (ACE), which also covers Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Coventry, and Solihull, was inspected between October and December last year.
It was the first inspection of its kind since regional adoption agencies were set up in 2017 to deliver a range of adoption services on behalf of local authorities.
ACE is responsible for recruitment, preparation and assessment and ongoing support to adoptive families. It also provides an independent support service to birth family members and services to adult adoptees seeking access to their adoption records.
The inspection report recognised the strong practices in recruiting adoptive families and in securing permanent families for children.
However, not unlike other regions in the country, there is still a desperate need for more people to come forward to consider adoption – particularly for sibling groups of brothers and sisters and children with more complex needs.
Brenda Vincent, head of ACE, said: “We are incredibly pleased to have approved more adoptive families over the past year and it is positive people are actively choosing to adopt through ACE.
“However, there are always children waiting longer than is necessary for the right family to come along and we would welcome more enquiries about becoming an adoptive parent so we can find the best possible families for those children who are waiting.”
Tina Russell, chief executive of Worcestershire Children First, said the organisation was proud to be a member of ACE and welcomed the report’s findings.
“The support ACE offers children and families across Worcestershire is incredibly valuable and I would urge anyone considering adoption to reach out to them.”
The report acknowledges the therapeutic approach taken by ACE and how it works with adoptive families throughout the process.
It mentioned the specific team which supported birth families and how the service reviewed support provided to adoptive families to ensure their needs are being met.
Overall – the report said – the regionalisation of adoption services in Worcestershire and other ACE areas had been successful with more children finding adoptive families more quickly.
A sensitive service is also offered to birth family members and – going forward – practices around ensuring adopted children can maintain relationships from their past which are important to them – are being developed.
Visit aceadoption.com for more on adoption and to read about adoptive parents’ experiences.
