Decision details

Hillingdon's Participation in the Regional Adoption Agency

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Cabinet agree: -

 

  1. To continue the contract with the Regional Adoption Agency (Ambitious for Adoption) which is a mandated requirement for local authorities, for the full extension period until 30th May 2029 at a cost of £2.35m;
  2. Agrees that the Regional Adoption Agency contract be reviewed in line with the demand, ensuring timely permanency for our children and derisking the potential agency costs needed to meet the demand;
  3. Any contract changes to be delegated to the Corporate Director for Children's Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, who will also undertake regular contract monitoring.

 

Reasons for decision

 

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education introduced a report, with recommendations that Cabinet approved, to continue the Council’s contract with the Regional Adoption Agency. The Cabinet Member noted that this would help improve local adoption services along with more efficient processes, and that there would be regular monitoring of the arrangements.

 

Alternative options considered and rejected

 

Cabinet considered the alternative options as set out in the confidential report, which were discounted due to their impact on the service and cost.

 

Relevant Select Committee

Children, Families & Education

Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in)

Cabinet’s decisions on this matter can be called in by a majority of the select committee by 5pm, Friday 21 February 2025. If not called-in, Cabinet’s decisions can then be implemented.

Officer(s) to action

Poppy Reddy / Alex Coman

Directorate

Children’s Services

Classification

Private - Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

 

Publication date: 14/02/2025

Date of decision: 13/02/2025

Decided at meeting: 13/02/2025 - CABINET

Effective from: 22/02/2025

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