We are very early on in our journey as Regional Adoption Agency leaders and I am really pleased with the progress we have made so far. This report records the achievements and learnings over the last two years, there’s still lots to do and we’re only just at the start.
We have also worked closely with an amazing group of adopted people, birth parents and adopters to help shape and develop the key priorities. I can honestly say that I have been humbled to hear about their experiences and their ability to help us think about how we can improve practice and services to better meet their needs.
Background
Much has changed since then and many LAs have come together to combine resources and form RAAs. There are currently 32 RAAs with just 2 LAs left working towards being part of an RAA. Within the last year, RAAs have started to work more collaboratively with each other and RAA leaders now meet every month to discuss sector challenges and working practices, share ideas, monitor workstreams and commit to national practice improvements. There has
The work detailed in this annual report is reflective of a time when the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly changed the way in which the sector operated and recruited adopters. There were many delays across the sector which impacted the number of adoption orders being granted and the timeliness of children being matched and placed with an adoptive family.
Working with adopted people
Over the last year, the national team have developed an Adopted Persons Reference Group supported by Advanced Practitioner Denise Smalley. The adopted people regularly meet with various working groups and RAA Leaders to ensure that those with lived experience are informing working practices and consulting on sector changes. They have advised professionals in many areas, including on the importance of more nuanced messaging about adoption and acknowledging that adoption emerges from loss and trauma to help build a more trauma informed and responsive workforce.
Discussions in 2021/2022 evidence that RAA leaders recognise the importance of consulting more widely with adopted people and, as a result, PAC-UK are working with us to widen consultation and to deliver some specific resources over the next year. The ongoing work with adopted people ensures they are at the heart of everything we do and represented in all areas, from public facing campaigns to sector training and preparation for adopters. We recognise that there’s still improvements to be made to make sure adopter voices are represented accurately and fairly.
Working with the NARSG
RAA Leaders have been working closely with The National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group (NARSG) to deliver their commitment to improving adopter recruitment and sector practice.
