Our adoption panel

In line with statutory requirements, ARC Adoption North East's adoption panel ensures safe and effective care for children who have a plan for adoption.

Following completion of your Prospective Adopter’s Report (PAR) also referred to as a home study assessment, your case will be presented to ARC Adoption’s adoption panel.

The role of the adoption panel is to ensure the highest standards of practice. All adoption services are required to appoint a range of people to a ‘Central List’ of panel members. Panel members have an important role in ensuring that ARC Adoption North East applies the highest possible standards when considering who is suitable to be approved to adopt vulnerable children.

In order for the panel to go ahead a quorum of five members must be present.

ARC Adoption's adoption panel consists of the following members:

A Chairperson who is an independent professional who is not employed by ARC Adoption North East and who has a comprehensive understanding and experience of the adoption process.

And/or.

A Vice-Chair who does not have to be independent of the agency but may be a social worker with at least three years’ experience in childcare and adoption

Independent people with first-hand knowledge of adoption

Examples of other individuals who may be adoption panel members include:

An education professional
An experienced adopter
An adoptee
A Medical advisor
A Legal advisor
Professional advisor to the adoption panel, this is usually the Director or Assistant Director at ARC Adoption. Their role is to inform the panel members of adoption regulations, agency policies and procedures and any business which is relevant to the recruitment and approval of adopters.
There is also a panel administrator who takes minutes of the discussion within the adoption panel and who circulates papers. They are also responsible for ensuring that any actions agreed during adoption panel are followed up.
There may be occasions when an observer is invited to attend the adoption panel. They play no part in the panel proceedings, they are there in order to gain experience and develop their knowledge and understanding of the adoption process.

Legal Role of the Adoption Panel

ARC Adoption's adoption panel and decision-maker make timely, quality and appropriate recommendations and decisions in line with the overriding objective; to promote the welfare of children.

It is the role of the adoption panel to consider the following:

Each application for approval as an adopter and recommends to the agency decision maker, whether or not a person is suitable to act as an adopter, within four months of receipt of the prospective adopter’s formal application to be assessed.

Where these timescales have not been met, the panel records the reasons in the written minutes of the panel meeting.

Where it recommends approval of an application, to recommend to the agency decision maker, the terms of approval to be given.

The adoption panel provides a quality assurance feedback to the agency every six months on the quality of reports being presented to the panel.

Latest

Virtual Coffee Morning Tuesday 5th January 2021

ARC Adoption families are invited to join the team for a virtual coffee morning.
Adoption Adventures

Adoption Adventures is the story of one adoptive family told via a podcast.
#YouCanAdopt

Wearside Voluntary Adoption Agency, ARC Adoption North East join forces to launch a nationwide recruitment campaign to raise awareness of adoption.
Information Event About Adoption Thursday 7th January 2021

The team at ARC adoption North East would like to invite you to an online information event to find out more about the adoption process and the outstanding support available to you.

How adoption works

Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be looked after by their birth parents and need to belong to a new family.
Values and mission

ARC Adoption North East in an outstanding adoption agency based in the North East of England. The ARC Adoption team is made up of multi-disciplined, experienced professionals who deliver a range of high-quality outstanding adoption services and adoption support. ARC Adoption North East believes that every child deserves the right to grow up in a nurturing and loving family who will support them through childhood and prepare them for adult life.
Reports and policy

The team at ARC Adoption are very proud to be rated as Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.
Fostering for adoption

At ARC Adoption North East are committed to exploring different routes to adoption. ARC Adoption offers an early permanence route, often referred to as fostering for adoption or foster to adopt. Fostering for adoption means that young children, usually babies, are placed at a young age with approved potential adopters who would also be approved temporary foster carers whilst the family court decides on the child’s future.
Adoption statistics and facts

In the North East of England, children waiting to be adopted outnumbers adopters 3:1. Could you adopt a child? If you have questions about adoption, or would like more information about the adoption process and the outstanding support available at ARC Adoption North East, email [email protected] or call 01915166466.
Initial visit

Following your initial enquiry, if you would like to progress with the adoption process a member of ARC Adoption North East’s team will visit you in your home. The initial visit will be very informal and take place at a date and time that is convenient for you and will last about two hours. It’s an opportunity to have your questions answered in more detail and help the team get to know you better.
Contact us

At ARC Adoption North East we value your opinion. All compliments, comments and complaints are accepted and considered with the greatest respect. Your feedback is welcomed to help develop ARC Adoption North East’s services.
Digital life story

ARC Adoption North East has the responsibility to provide each child with a life story book. This is carried out by members of the team qualified to diploma level in therapeutic life story work for looked after children. ARC Adoption North East’s passionate and innovative approach has led to the development of a digital life story package, ARCBOX.
How long does the UK adoption process take?
Donate

A legendary figure in the North East adoption sector, Helen Linforth was due to be the first chair of ARC Adoption North East's adoption panel, unfortunately she passed away in 2014, before being able to take on a key role at ARC Adoption North East. This led to a fund being set up in Helen's name to benefit children placed by ARC Adoption and who required additional support.