Regional adoption expertise
In 2015, the government announced plans to regionalise adoption services to improve adopter recruitment and support, reduce costs, and speed up matching to deliver the best outcome for children in care. Regional Adoption Agencies bring together local services and expertise to streamline the adoption process and provide a child-centred approach to adoption in England. There are currently 32 Regional Adoption Agencies in England.
Regional adoption agencies provide:
- A child-centred approach to adoption
The primary focus of RAAs is on the well-being and best interests of the child with adoption as their plan and for adopted children and young people.
- Collaborative model
RAAs operate on a collaborative model, working to pool expertise, resources, and knowledge to provide better support for both adoptive families and children with a plan for adoption.
- Dedicated support
RAAs offer tailored and dedicated support to adoptive families and children, utilising years of experience to help both adopted children and prospective parents. This personalised approach helps create strong foundations for successful adoptions and ensures ongoing support for families throughout their journey.
- Efficiency and consistency
The consolidation of more local adoption services into regional agencies enhances efficiency and consistency in the adoption process. By centralising resources, RAAs can standardise procedures and reduce delays in finding suitable homes for children.
- Community and engagement
Regional Adoption Agencies actively engage with their local communities to promote awareness and understanding of adoption, while addressing any unique regional challenges.
To read the latest evaluation of regional adoption agencies in England, please click here.