County adoption agency praised by Minister of State for Children and Families

The joint adoption agency run by Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council has been praised by a Government minister for making strong improvements.

Robert Goodwill MP, Minister of State for Children and Families, has written to Shropshire Council Leader Peter Nutting and Telford & Wrekin Council Leader Shaun Davies.

His letter said: “I am pleased to note you met the Government’s threshold for the time taken to place children with their adoptive families.

“In doing so, you reduced the time children wait between entering care and being placed.

“You also met the Government’s threshold for the average time between a local authority receiving a court authority to place a child and deciding on a match to an adoptive family.

“You met both of these thresholds for the second consecutive year – congratulations on your continued focus on improving your adoption services and ultimately outcomes for children in your care.”

As well as writing to both councils’ leaders, the Minister copied his letter to Nick Bardsley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services and education, and Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Children, Young People and Communities.

Nick Bardsley said: “This is brilliant news, and testament to our staff who are passionate about finding safe and supportive adoptive families for children who need them.

“The work that goes on behind the scenes to find the right adoptive placement for a child shouldn’t be underestimated. When we get it right it is truly heartwarming to see how much children blossom and develop when they are loved and nurtured.”

Councillor Watling said: “I am delighted that our joint adoption service’s success has been recognised by the Minister. This improvement hasn’t happened by accident and it has taken a lot of hard work and a lot of focused partnership working to get to this point.”

Mike Roughan, the chair of the Joint Adoption Service, was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List earlier this year – which he received at Buckingham Palace in May.

Mike Roughan said: “I am similarly delighted that our joint adoption service’s success has been recognised by the Minister.

“I agree with Councillor Watling, there is a great deal of good work from all of the teams within the Joint Adoption Service.

“I am pleased to chair our Adoption Panel and be a part of striving towards a continued focus on improving our adoption services and providing the best possible outcomes for the children within our care.”