A collective response to Market Reform - What next? How do we convey the magic?

Position development Adoption UK commissioned to run focus group workshops to test and inform positions Hosted by agencies Co-produced with adopters To be completed by September Volunteers needed First4Adoption will test with digital enquirers

Customer service & market coaching Mystery shopper reports and dedicated bespoke peer action planning for all VAAs Access to tailored coaching against priorities Planning for the delivery phase needs Ideas include investment in sector social media, production of a new website module What would you most benefit from so we can all benefit?

Increasing our impact Recommendations from our very own marketing powerhouse

Customer Communications Theme leader to develop the strategy for use and dissemination of the position Creative development, language & application We support National Adoption Week We use First4Adoption We plan for a co-ordinated start to position We own the moment in January

Future agenda Customer theme analysis of purchaser behaviour and market reform potential Tools and proposals to address market barriers Strategy for position implementation informed by the regional agency development Leadership hubs in the workforce stream for addressing common issues

We must be ready….. … to change, to regionalise, to share infrastructure, to be the partner of choice for local authorities, to speak for quality…..

…to be the hero for children…

In ways you haven’t seen yourselves before!

And now the Wonder Woman of the CVAA! Annie Crombie

Government agenda Fragmentation and inefficiency in LA services Delay in matching with sequential decisions Challenge in finding families for some children Insufficient provision of adoption support They think regional agencies will address these issues – are they right?

Hopes for regional agencies Speeding up the matching process Making sure there is a big enough pool of adopters for children waiting in each area Increasing coverage and consistency of adoption support services? They think regional agencies will increase quality, speed things up and save money – are they right?

What role for VAAs? Specialist adoption support provision Leading a regional adoption agency Specialist recruitment and assessment Or specialist practice such as life story work or adult counselling or step parent adoptions Making permanence a reality - eg through concurrent planning And open to suggestions! Government intends to support VAAs – and they are investing in us!

What will they look like? Not all the same – no centralised model Developing from existing partnerships Large – up to 200+ children per annum Involving good agencies including VAAs Innovative and excellent! In place over the next two years And if not with a power to direct So – lots to work out…

What happens next? We make our voice heard during the passage of the Bill to influence the policy, and to preserve adoption as an option for children Then: Direct funding to LAs or VAAs with coach £4.5m available and more possibly for All ALBs asked to discuss and involve VAAs Expressions of Interest by 7 September October-November bids for funding October-March support from coach So the future is bright?

What is our response? Be clear and specific about the risks Inform and influence what happens next Identify what we need to learn or understand Confirm if we can share expertise Address our own support needs Shaping the next phase of Customer and Workforce themes in our Capacity Building programme So what do we need to be bold?

Table discussion 2 risks and 2 opportunities – Capability? Legal? Procurement? Relationships? – Diversification? Long-term stability? What do we need to be bold? – Market knowledge? Understanding what we offer? Tools?

What is our response? Your programme board considers these needs We (re)define the workstreams We complete the market development work We respond to the workforce needs We all promote the role of VAAs!

See you on 10/11 th September In the New World