Joint working across three local authority areas is starting to pay dividends for a new adoption service.
Early figures indicate that the Western Bay Adoption Service, which covers Bridgend, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, is on track to surpass last year’s performance across the three regions in a number of key areas.
A total of 12 new adopters were approved in April and May 2015 compared to just seven for the same period last year.
During the same period, the average time taken to place children with adoptive parents following the decision that they should be placed reduced significantly.
Both of these are important because they allow the service to settle more children into adoptive families at the earliest possible stage in their lives. This can dramatically improve the outcomes for them as evidence shows that delays can harm their development and make them more likely to develop behavioural and attachment issues.
A more efficient service also benefits adopters who want to give a child a loving and stable home, but can be put off by bureaucracy and delays in the system.
Nick Jarman, Chairman of the Western Bay Adoption Service said: “This joint working approach makes absolute sense. By working together the three local authorities can make the best use of expertise and resources for the benefit of potential adopters, adopters, adopted children and adults who were adopted as children.
“Whilst it is early days for the service, these figures are very encouraging and a credit to joint working arrangements within our adoption services which enables us to find permanent families for vulnerable children quicker and more efficiently.
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