The Head of Permanence Services introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education. The report provided an overview of the Adoption Annual Report for the period of 31st March 2022 - 1st April 2023 for consideration and scrutiny. The Adoption Annual Report provided an overview of the fostering service in terms of key performance to date, analysis of current practice, key issues and risks and plans for continuous improvement and progress over the next 12 months.

The report provided the Committee with assurance that the Council had fulfilled its responsibilities to children who would benefit from being adopted.

Members queried whether foster carers went one to adopt and officers confirmed that this did happen on a regular basis. Members noted that the processing time for the adoption procedure has reduced.

Resolved – That the information within the report and the Adoption Report 2022-23 in Appendix One be noted.