Issue - meetings
EXTENSION OF THE ADOPTION IN MERSEYSIDE (AIM) PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AND REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS
Meeting: 27/10/2021 - Children, Young People & Education Committee (Item 43)
Additional documents:
- AiM Appendix 1, item 43 PDF 74 KB
- Webcast for EXTENSION OF THE ADOPTION IN MERSEYSIDE (AIM) PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AND REVIEW OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENTS
Minutes:
The Director of Children, Families and Education introduced the report which outlined the partnership arrangements for the Adoption in Merseyside regional adoption service and sought agreement for the extension of the current arrangements as well as outlining the proposed review of those arrangements. The Committee was advised that the regional adoption service was established in April 2017 following the introduction of the Education and Adoption Act 2016 which set out the requirement to have a service in place. The agency was a partnership with Knowsley Council, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council and Wirral Council, with Knowsley acting as the host authority. The existing contract had concluded in March 2021 and had not been reviewed due to Covid-19, therefore approval was sought to extend the contract until March 2022 with a view to a review of the arrangements taking place.
It was noted that the option of Wirral Council hosting the service was considered as part of the budget workshops, but it was felt that there was little extra value when compared to just being part of the arrangements.
Resolved – That
(1)
The current Adoption in Merseyside partnership agreement be
extended to 31 March 2022.
(2)
it be noted that a review of the existing partnership
arrangements would take place and a further report would be brought
back on future partnership arrangements for 01 April
2022.
(3) the proposal for Wirral Council to not put itself forward as the host authority at the current time be supported.