A new joint working adoption service has been hailed at a celebration event.
Held at the Guildhall in Swansea, the Western Bay Adoption Service is a collaboration between Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Councils to provide a regional adoption service aimed at improving the services for both adopters and children who are seeking adoption.
Over 50 people attended the event that was made up of a number of voluntary support organisations and officers such as the National Adoption Service, Adoption UK, social workers, local councillors and senior council officers. A range of key note speakers outlined how the service is responsible for recruiting, training and assessing prospective adopters. The service also provides general information and guidance on adoption issues.
Attendees learnt about the performance of the service since it was launched. Since April 2015, across the whole region, the service has successfully placed 44 children. Assessments of adopters have been successful with 34 adopters being approved compared to 45 in the whole of year last year.
The speakers added that the service will continue to build on this success to ensure the service impacts positively on a child’s journey through the adoption process and reduces the time spent in temporary placements.
A short video was shown of Mark Drakeford AM, Minister of Health and Social Services, on the importance of the regions and the National Adoption Service, as well as the challenges ahead for adoption in Wales.
The event concluded with a case study from an adopter who has recently been through the whole process using the service. She spoke about how she found out about the service, the support she had along the way and how she was successfully matched with a baby daughter.
Nick Jarman, Chairman of the Western Bay Adoption Service said, “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.”
“The figures clearly show the joint working arrangement with is creating a more efficient service that is able to help find permanent families for vulnerable children.”
To find out more information on becoming an adoptive parent, visit the Western Bay Adoption Service website, www.westernbayadoption.org .
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
