We are very happy to share the news that our organisation has been rated as 'outstanding' in a recent Ofsted inspection, which took place in March 2026 - the third consecutive time that ARC Adoption has been awarded an 'outstanding' in all areas rating.

The whole team is absolutely delighted with the result, and with feedback received from inspectors, which cited highly effective services making a significant difference to children, adopters and other adult service users.

Taking immense pride in the important and sensitive work undertaken with families and individuals, it meant a lot to the ARC Adoption team to have the strong sense of family and 'open door policy' of the agency recognised.

Below are just some of the other things highlighted in the report by the inspectors:

• A forward thinking and innovative agency with inspirational and child-focussed leaders and manager
• An overwhelmingly positive experience for prospective adopters and adopters
• Quality training and preparation throughout the adoption journey, and supportive yet rigorous assessment process
• Robust matching practices of children with adoptive parents including specialist input from a clinical psychologist
• An ‘incredible’ range of quality pre- and post-adoption support
• Encouragement of feedback from children and adopters to drive improvement of services - for example, the agency recently refreshing its peer support offer
• Proactive and creative safeguarding practice
• A high calibre of staff and exceptional staff morale - reflected in the quality of the work of the agency
• Overwhelmingly positive feedback from external professionals, with partnership working firmly embedded in the agency

ARC Adoption’s Director, Terry Fitzpatrick OBE, said: 

“We are absolutely delighted to again achieve an Outstanding rating by Ofsted and it is humbling to read such wonderful feedback from the inspectors. Lorraine and I are extremely proud of the team, and the result is testament to their dedication and ongoing hard work. We all feel privileged to work in the field of adoption and securing permanence for children. While adoption is not an easy route to parenthood, we believe in the difference it can make to children’s lives and to those people who wish to become parents, and are committed to supporting families in every way we can.

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We’d also like to send our sincere thanks to the children, parents and other adults supported by our agency who contributed their feedback of our service to the Ofsted inspectors. It is really appreciated by the whole team.”

If you’d like to read the Ofsted report in full, please click here.

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If you are interested in adoption and would benefit from speaking to a member of our team to find out more about it as well as to discuss your individual circumstances, we’d love to talk to you. Please reach out to us here.