The Bespoke Family Finding Service sits under the umbrella of CFAS – Adoption Support, which is also a collaboration of the two VAA’s.

Introduction The Team Practice Manager Three Members of Staff Marketing Manager Relationship Manager Admin I am the practice manager for the Bespoke Family Finding Service for Priority Children. There are 3 members of staff in the team. Two part time and one full time.

Aim Expansion bid for Priority Children’s Team The Priority Children’s Model Outcomes for Children The Future …..

Priority Children Definition …. “Harder to place children are defined either by: characteristics (i.e. White European children aged 4 years and over, children from BME communities, siblings in groups of 2 or more and children with specific additional needs); or children who have been waiting for 12 months or more since their ADM decision”. DFE/CVAA Draft Grant Offer Letter - 2015

Expansion bid… What were our ideas? Concept of a child specific model Increase the number of adopters from untapped resources The concept of a child specific model was borne out of the work undertaken by the Adoption Support arm of CFAS. Through the various referrals the partnership LA’s referred children for direct work in preparation for adoption. The children that were referred were older of white European background, with a previous adoption breakdown and multiple moves. The preparation work was tailor made for each child based on their interests and needs. The direct work supported the children referred to make sense of their individual histories and explore their emotions around these events and what the future may potentially hold. What we learnt from these pieces of work is that direct work is critical in supporting children to make a successful transition into an adoptive placement. Various research studies suggest that there are untapped resources for adoption Single male applicants Over 50’s People working in the NHS The role of the relationship manager was to expand into these areas to raise the profile of adoption and recruit potential adopters who may be a possible family for a Priority Child.

WHAT WE DO NOW WHAT WE HAVE SAID WE WILL DO Centre for Adoption Support Expansion Bid 2 – Priority Children Working in partnership with LA’s in the Northwest to family find for Priority Children 3. Expansion Bid 2 – Priority Children Yorkshire/Humber West Midlands CFAS offers a range of adoption support services to adopters approved by AM/CC or LA’s who can purchase an adoption support package. The original aim was to continue our collaboration with CWAC/WWISH to family find for their priority children. However the wider background political, legal and social developments in adoption led to a reduction of the number of placement orders being made and an emphasis on SGO or long term foster care. This was notable after the Munby Judgement. We set up a bespoke family finding service for priority children. AM is expanding into the Yorkshire/Humber region and West Midlands with a view to attracting potential adopters from these areas.

Common Themes A seamless recruitment, assessment, early matching and adoption support service Innovative collaborative sub-regional LA/VAA Partnerships. Test new types of collaboration Expand in scope and scale Focus on Priority Children

The Challenge Developing partnerships with LAs Generating referrals for more priority children Recruiting more carers for priority children Managing more complex work Generating funding from complex work Working across a larger geographical area Developing and sharing the necessary skills

Child Specific Model Child is referred to the Priority Children’s Team Consultation Meeting with the LA (pre/post referral) Contracts/Publicity Agreement Gathering information about the child There are two components to the Child Specific Model the child’s journey and the adopters journey. I will begin by talking you through the adopter’s journey

Child Specific Model Gathering information about the child from the files, foster carer, social worker and any other significant person. Observation of the child in their home environment. Build a relationship with the child. Direct work around transitions to commence on identification of a strong family. There are two components to the Child Specific Model the child’s journey and the adopters journey. I will begin by talking you through the child’s journey

Child Specific Model Recruitment Strategy – different levels of marketing Informal Meetings – identify a family Training Registration Of Interest - Stage 1: Statutory Checks Sharing and receiving information about child/family LA visit the family Bump Into Meeting (Chemistry)

Child Specific Model Stage 2: Formal Application Link in with a buddy ASI and Assessment of Adopter’s capacity to meet the individual needs of the child Identify any gaps in knowledge and skill base/offer additional child specific training Suitability to Adopt – Adoption Panel

Child Specific Model Linking and Matching as per a general placement Introductions Involved until point of Adoption Order Adoption Support through CFAS Encourage contact with the foster carer (indirect and direct)

Case Example L child is aged 4 with global developmental delay and autistic traits Identified Adopters Assessment Preparation work with the child and foster carer Bump into Meetings Approval Matching Placement

Outcomes for children … It is too early to predict the success rate of the model however we can consider the learning from the model in terms of best practice. Emotional preparation of children for a transition. Bump into Meetings. Providing adopters with information about the child from the outset – no surprises.

Outcomes for children … Identifying adoption support needs for the family. Continuity of worker from the point of referral through to adoption order. Bespoke training/assessment around the needs of the child allows better preparation for the adopter.

The Future… Working in partnership with Regional Adoption Agencies to offer a service to Priority Children! Develop working relationships – Block or Spot purchasing.

Thank You Questions?