WARRINGTON looks set to provide the “hub” for a new regional adoption agency aiming to provide economies of scale and reduced fragmentation of the service.
It would bring together five councils – Warrington, Wigan, St Helens, Halton and Cheshire West and Chester – and a number of adoption agencies.
The five authorities have already agreed that Wigan will provide the service and Cheshire West and Chester will act as lead commissioner.
Two sites have been shortlisted for the central hub – Warrington’s Bewsey Park Community Centre and Leigh Sports Village.
Bewsey Park has been identified as the preferred location because it is near the geographical centre of the regional adoption agency (RAA), has lower running costs and will involve lower travel costs for staff.
The RAA is being developed in line with government policy to regionalise adoption. The Department of Education is providing up to £639,000 to establish the RAA by June this year.
RAA will provide children with an adoptive family meeting their needs, ensure that those affected by adoptions receive the information and support they need and ensure that families are well prepared ,enabled and supported to care for the children with plans for adoption.
Budget for the RAA in its first year is £2,120,579 and will be shared by the five authorities – Warrington contributing £290,120 or 13.68 per cent.
Cllr Jean Carter (pictured), Warrington’s lead member for children’s services, in a report to tonight’s meeting of the executive board, says in order for the borough to meet its statutory duty to provide an adoption service, it is essentials it becomes a key partner in the RAA.
The borough already has a wealth of experience of working in a partnership providing adoption services – the successful WWiSH partnership with Wigan and St Helens – and there should be a smooth transition to working with the other four authorities.
Cllr Carter will recommend the executive board to agree to join the proposed RAA.
Borough to be “hub” of new regional adoption agency
00 Comments
