Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Children’s Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Social Services and the Service Manager SEWAS.

The Service Manager SEWAS presented the report on the performance of the South East Wales Adoption Service (SEWAS) and the National Adoption Service (NAS) for 2018/19.

In relation to demand for adoptive placements and adopter recruitment a Member commented that the recruitment campaign was extremely good and felt that roundabouts and advertising boards could be utilised for recruitment purposes more effectively. 

The Head of Children’s Services said that 70 children were placed with adoptive parents and confirmed that the number of adopters had fallen.

A Member enquired regarding the delay with children receiving their life journey materials.  The Service Manager SEWAS said that a new Co-ordinator had been appointed to help improve the timescales for receipt of the life journey materials with Welsh Government investment funding used to improve performance going forward.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and endorse Option 2; namely that the information as reported be accepted.

Councillor Greg Paulsen left the meeting at this juncture.