Barnardo s Adoption Service South West Statement of Purpose Barnardo s Adoption Service South West Verona House Filwood Road Fishponds Bristol BS163RY Tel: 0117 937 5507 Reviewed and updated January 2016 Where a child has particular communication requirements this guide can be available in alternative formats e.g. Makaton, pictures, tape recording, and translation into another language. Updated Jan 2016 Statement of Purpose Adoption
ADOPTION BARNARDO S Introduction Barnardo s has been registered as an Adoption Agency since 1947. The Charity s Head Office is at Barkingside, England but the main office for the purpose of Adoption Agency registration and structure is at Orchard House, Newcastle with branches in England and Wales. There is also a service in Scotland registered SCSWIS for domestic adoption services and for the provision of adoption support services across the U.K. The Adoption service is part of the wider family placement business within Barnardo s which also has fostering services throughout the UK. A separate statement of purpose relating to fostering in Barnardo s South West has been produced. Aims and objectives The welfare of the child is our paramount consideration Our aim is to provide children with safe, secure and lasting adoptive families and our policies and services are directed towards achieving this outcome for children in need of adoption. Our objective is to increase placement choice and to reduce delay in the adoption process for children. The children most likely to need our service are those of black and minority ethnic backgrounds, sibling groups, school age children, children who have additional needs arising from learning or physical disability and children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The quality of the service is measured by feedback from children and young people and adopters, alongside internal Barnardo s quality assurance structures, independent Adoption Panel representatives and external regulatory body Ofsted. Services provided We recruit, prepare, assess and support prospective adoptive families. Potential adoptive families will be considered on the basis of their capability and capacity to meet the needs of the identified target group of children. We provide a high level of emotional, practical and legal support to children and families post placement, supporting families in accessing the appropriate post adoption support. We offer support and counselling to adults who have been adopted by Barnardo s via an intermediary Service called Making Connections, which is based at our Head Office Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, ESSEX IG6 1QG Registration number SC051840. Barnardo s can offer a range of training and consultancy relating to all aspects of the Adoption process. 2
Ethos Barnardo s shares the aims of the Every Child Matters (England) agenda to help children: be healthy stay safe enjoy and achieve make a positive contribution achieve economic well being Also the aims of Rights to Action (Cymru) to help children: Enjoy the best possible health and are free from abuse, victimisation and exploitation Have a safe home and community which supports physical and emotional well being Have a comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities Have access to play, leisure, sporting and cultural activities Are listened to, treated with respect, and have their race and cultural identity recognised Are not disadvantaged by poverty And the Getting it Right for Every Child agenda in Scotland that Children should be Safe Healthy Achieving Nurtured Active Respected and Responsible Included We believe that children s needs are most likely to be met as part of a secure and loving family. We believe that, where this is not possible within their birth family, adoption should be considered for them. We recognise that the children we seek to place are among the most vulnerable in our society. Children s views, wishes and feelings will be acted upon, unless it is contrary to their interests Children placed with Barnardo s have access to a complaints procedure and children will be encouraged and supported to raise any concerns and make a complaint when they wish to do so. An advocate, either their Social Worker, adoptive parent or a children s rights worker, or a friend will help and support them in being heard. Children s personal wishes are taken into account, in line with their age, ability, and understanding. All prospective adopters have access to Barnardo s complaints procedure and will be given information on how to contact /complain to the relevant inspectorate body. In England and Wales they will also have access to the 3
Independent Review Mechanism through the Panel Representation Procedures. (Copies of which are available in branches.) Barnardo s believes that good parents come from many different backgrounds and are as varied as the children we seek to place. Prospective adopters are required to demonstrate that they can safely and skilfully parent a child to independence and beyond. Adoption is a lifelong commitment and Barnardo s is committed to remaining responsive and supportive throughout. Barnardo s understands the importance of ethnic and cultural identity in its family placement work and aims where possible to achieve placements with carers who reflect the ethnic origin, cultural background, religion and language of the children to be placed. We also understand the importance of achieving stability and security for a child within a realistic timescale and therefore will seek to recruit families from diverse backgrounds in order to avoid unreasonable delay. In some circumstances a child cannot be placed in a family that reflects his/her ethnic, cultural and religious origins. We will therefore ensure that the prospective adopters have clearly identified strengths in relation to caring for and supporting a child of minority ethnic or Dual Heritage origins who, growing up, may face discrimination and racism. This applies equally whether a child is placed with a black or minority ethnic family, a white family, or a family which includes members of different ethnic origins. Appropriate support will be offered to the family to enable them to address the child s particular needs. This will include enhancing the parents ability to understand and promote the child s positive self-esteem, confidence and identity. Barnardo s has access to a wide spectrum of support services which can be accessed to respond to individual needs. Structure of Barnardo s Adoption Agency Barnardo s is registered as an Adoption Agency with Ofsted, under the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 (and subsequent amendments). Barnardo s is registered in England and Wales for domestic adoption and for the provision of adoption support services to children and adults. Barnardo s Scotland Adoption Service (BSAS) is registered with SCSWIS for domestic adoption services and for the provision of adoption support services across the U.K. and complies with all the appropriate underpinning legislation. The Agency does not undertake intercountry adoption. It is a non-profit making voluntary adoption agency and has been so since 1947. Barnardo s Board of Trustees, by way of the Family Placement Scrutiny Committee, governs Barnardo s Adoption Agency. The Scrutiny Committee is composed of three Trustees of Barnardo s (who are members of and report directly to the full Board) one of whom acts as chair, and three Assistant Heads of Business Family Placement, with lead responsibility in their region or nation. Also in attendance as non-voting members are the Responsible Individual; the Head of Family Placement in Barnardo s and the Adoption Agency Registered Manager. This committee meets every four months and 4
receives reports from the Agency Adoption Manager and Responsible Individual. An annual report is presented to Barnardo's Board of Trustees with an overview of the agency adoption work. The Director for Business Development coordinates the work of the Adoption Agency between Head Office and the Regions and Nations. The Responsible Individual is Brenda Farrell Head of Business, Family Placement The Agency Registered manager is: Carolyn Oliver, Assistant Head of Business, who is a qualified Social Worker with a CQSW and B.A. in Social Studies (1977). She also has a Certificate in Management (2004). She has worked in Family Placement since 1977, specialising in Adoption since 1981. The Agency Decision Maker is: Debbie Tomlinson, Assistant Head of Business, who is a qualified Social Worker with a DIPSW (2004) & BA in Social Work (2006). She has worked in Family Placement since 2006. The Responsible Individual, Registered Manager and Agency Decision Maker can be contacted through- Barnardo s Adoption Unit 13A Silver Fox Way Cobalt Business Park Newcastle upon Tyne NE27 OQJ Telephone 0191 293 1401 This is the main office for registration in England and Wales and for UK management purposes. The Ofsted registration number is SC048403. Branches- England and Wales There are five branches that place children for adoption and an additional branch offering a dedicated adoption support services. A Children s Services Manager or Assistant Director manages each branch. The Adoption Branches are: Barnardo s Adoption Service, South East, 54 Head Street, Colchester CO1 Barnardo's Adoption Service, London East and South East, Scotch House, Tanners Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG6 1QG Barnardo s Adoption Midlands, Brooklands, Great Cornbow, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3AB and The Old Exchange, 21 Nottingham Road, Spondon, Derby, DE21 7NF 5
Barnardo s Fostering and Adoption Yorkshire Queens Road, Bradford BD8 7BS Yorkshire Queens House, Barnardo s Fostering and Adoption North East, 1 Lumley Court, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester le Street, Durham DH2 1AN Barnardo's Cymru Adoption and Fostering Service, Trident Court, East Moors Road, Cardiff,CF24 5TD Barnardo's Amser Ni, 21 Wynnstay Road, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 8NB Barnardo s Adoption Services South West, Verona House, Filwood Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3RY The Adoption Support Branch is: Making Connections Barnardo s, Head Office Tanners Lane, Barkingside Ilford, ESSEX IG6 1QG Registration number SC051840 Further details about each individual branch profiles are provided in the service specific statement of purpose. The Barnardo s Scotland Adoption Service (BSAS) (incorporating both the Adoption Placement Service and Adoption Support Service) is based at Suite 5/3, Skypark SP5, 45 Finnieston Street, GLASGOW G3 8JU Monitoring and Evaluation Each Adoption Branch/Service is managed in the Region or Nation in which the service is located. An Assistant Head of Business Family Placement has line management responsibility for the branch/service and ensures that the service is provided within the framework of Barnardo s policies and Adoption Regulations and National Minimum Standards. Representatives from each Region and Nation attend the Senior Management Team which meets every 4-6 weeks. The adoption services operate in line with the wider framework of Barnardo s policies and procedures including: the Equal Opportunities Policy; Safeguarding/ child protection; Health and safety; Recording policy; Access to Information and Data protection; Complaints A comprehensive range of employment policies that ensure a safe and high quality service for users. 6
Financial Management Barnardo s Adoption Agency is a member of the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies and has agreed to charge the CVAA inter- agency fee for adoption placements, as a minimum. This fee level is reviewed annually by CVAA. In addition Barnardo s currently subsidises the cost of the work of the Adoption Agency with voluntary income to support the additional work undertaken by services to place children with very complex needs and to sustain our long held commitment to adoption. Barnardo s accounts are audited and published annually in Barnardo s annual report. The Adoption Agency accounts are published annually in the Adoption Agency report having been approved by the Adoption Agency Scrutiny Committee. Constitution Barnardo s is a company limited by guarantee (registered in England under number 61625) and a registered charity (numbers 216250 and SC037605). It was also registered as a trust corporation on 16/12/1926. Its governing instrument is the Articles of Association, most recently amended by special resolution passed on 21/7/2011. Values We believe that every child deserves the best start in life and the chance to fulfil their potential. We use the knowledge gained from our direct work with children to campaign for better childcare policies and to champion the rights of every child. We believe that with the right help, committed support and a little belief, even the most vulnerable children can turn their lives around. We work with hope We respect the unique worth of every person We exercise responsible stewardship in managing our resources We believe in supporting the most vulnerable children no matter what they have been through Legislative framework England and Wales The Adoption and Children Act 2002 The Children Act 1989 and 2004 The Data Protection Act 1998 The Human Rights Act 1998 7
The United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child The Care Standards Act 2000 (and accompanying Adoption National Minimum Standards) The National Standards Commission (Fees and Frequency of Inspection) (Adoption Agencies) Regulations 2003 England Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments)Regulations 2003 The Adoption Agency Regulations 2005 The Adopted Children and Adoption Contact Regulations 2005 Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005 The Adoption Agencies and Independent Review of Determinations (Amendment) Regulations 2011 The Adoption Information and Intermediary Services (Pre- Commencement Adoptions) Regulations 2005 The Disclosure of Adoption Information (Post Commencement Adoptions)Regulations 2005 Working Together to Safeguard Children (Under Associated Child Protection Guidance) Contact points for regulatory bodies: England, Wales: Ofsted Piccadilly Manchester M1 2WD 0300 123 1231 Ofsted Contact form Appendices:- 1) Adoption Agency Structure 2) Children's guide template 3) Complaints and Panel representation procedures 4) Having Your Say (English) and Having Your Say (Bilingual) 5) Your right to be heard (English) and Your right to be heard (Welsh) 6) Summary of approval process Adoption 7) Information for adopters 8
Part 2 Barnardo's Fostering & Adoption, South West AIMS Statement of purpose for Adoption To facilitate co-operative planning for the future care of children and young people. To offer services which enable the provision and maintenance of a safe and secure base, whether by restoration to birth family members, respite care, fostering or adoption. OUR OBJECTIVES Children would have had a stable home base in which they felt safe and secure. The service would have provided opportunities for children to express their views. The child would have felt listened to and that their point of view had been heard and taken into account. Services provided would have been tailored to the individual child's needs over time. The child would have felt that in time of stress or difficulty, he or she could look to service staff and carers for advice and support. The child would have perceived adults to be working co-operatively for him or her. The child would have established a relationship of trust with service staff and carers. The child would have felt nurtured, encouraged and cared for physically and emotionally. The child would have been able to capitalize on opportunities provided to develop their skills and talents. The child would have a network of supports, which stay with them as they move onto independence. Birth Family Members would have had the opportunity to work with staff and carers in making and putting into practice a plan for the child's future care. They would have felt that service staff and carers listened to and valued their point of view and valued their relationship to the child. Birth parents and birth family members would have the knowledge that the service had explored the possibility of restoration of the children to the birth family. They would have perceived service staff and carers as encouraging of links between them and their child, whether direct or indirect, and would have a contact agreement. Birth parents and birth family members would have a sense that they could approach the service for advice and support on contact issues when they needed to do so. Adopters would have identified service staff as respectful towards them as individuals and as working in partnership with them. Adopters would have had basic and ongoing training, which gave them an understanding of the task they were undertaking and assisted them in exploring the implications for them and their family. 9
Adopters would have felt enabled to work with the emotional, behavioural and developmental needs of the children placed with them. They would have developed supportive relationships with staff and other carers, on which they felt they could rely. What we will do Recruit and assess applicants who wish to become adoptive parents Offer preparation training workshops and post approval training. Present applicants to a properly constituted adoption panel Undertake linking and matching with children for whom adoption is sought. Supervise and support placements Provide access to ongoing training opportunities for adoptive parents Specialist Advice Advice is sought as and when from specialists in their field. The service has developed a therapeutic service, with psychotherapist, associated therapists, access to an Occupational therapist and education expert. In addition the service has a medical advisor and an Education Adviser. Our Legal Adviser is Sarah Coldrick. Staffing structure Jacqui Bazley, part-time acting Operations Manager has temporary responsibility for the operation of the Service. She reports to Brenda Farrell, Responsible individual and has recently joined following the resignation of the previous manager in November 2015. All staff have undertaken a wide range of in service and external training courses. All staff are required to attend annual Child Protection training and have individual learning and development plans, and annual appraisals. Adoption Team Manager: Clare Durojaye is responsible for the quality assurance of all our Adoption assessments and offers supervision to our external assessing social workers studying for Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. Project Worker 3 Social Workers: are senior social workers in the team, with a high level of experience they undertake supervision of social workers. Project Worker 2 Supervising Social Workers: all have a social work qualification and are registered with the HCPC. We look for our social work staff to have experience in child protection, looked after children and adolescent support. All our social workers have access to therapeutic consultation. Family Support Workers/Sessional Staff: support staff, provide direct work with children and young people and offer family support. Therapists: our therapists all have a professional qualification and are registered with the appropriate professional accrediting body. 10
Administration Staff: Our highly committed administrative staff have also work closely with all our carers, and committed to high level of safeguarding training, they are all trained to Level 2 Safeguarding. The diagram below shows the current staffing at the Service, with the Operations Manager accountable to the Assistant Head of Business, (Jacqui Bazley). As we recruit more adopters, so the staffing group will also grow. 11
Registered Manager Responsible Individual Assistant Head of Business Family Placement Agency Decision Maker Operations Manager Full Time Team Manager Adoption Full Time Panel Administrator Part Time Service Administrator Scale 4 Full Time Administrator Scale 3 Full Time PW2 Adoption Full Time PW2 Adoption Full Time PW2 Adoption Part Time Child Psychotherapist X1 day/week External Assessing Social Workers x8 (As & When) Adoption Senior Practitioner Full Time PW1 Adoption Full Time Updated Jan 2016 Statement of Purpose Adoption
Name Job Title Hours per week Vacant Operations Manager 37 Vacant Social Worker/Project Worker Team Clare Durojaye ADOPTION Team Manager 37 Deirdre Burton ADOPTION Senior Practitioner 37 Monika Walde ADOPTION Supervising Social Worker 37 Rachel Heath ADOPTION Supervising Social Worker 37 Suzie Burton Project Worker - Level 2 (ADOPTION AND FOSTERING) 18 Rachel Byram PW1 ADOPTION 37 Independent Form F/PAR Assessors Variable Administration Team Charlotte Gaines Service Administrator 36.25 Vacant Service Administrator (Finance) 36.25 Helen Mingle Panel Administrator/Family Finder 20 Claire Leavy Administrator 36.25 13 2015-08-04 Statement of Purpose Adoption South West
Complaints We have an active commitment to addressing complaints and concerns, attempting to learn from them and allowing them to inform our practice. We seek to ensure that that children and families are familiar with a wide range of staff and feel comfortable in expressing their points of view in the knowledge that we will listen and take on board dissatisfaction. We view an accessible and responsive complaints process as a key element in our child protection strategy. Complaints leaflets are provided to adult enquirers in an information pack given out at regular information meetings. It is reissued with the information applicants receive at the outset of training workshops. Adults and children are encouraged to discuss their complaints with their social worker and/or a Project manager. Barnardo s encourages the local resolution of concerns and complaints at the earliest opportunity but has a formal complaints procedure as required by the Children Act 1989. 14 2015-08-04 Statement of Purpose Adoption South West