Decision details

To consider a proposal for Slough to join a Regional Adoption Agency in line with statutory requirements.

(a)  That the Council join the Regional Adoption Agency arrangements hosted by the London Borough of Harrow in order to procure adoption services provided by the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children under those arrangements; and

(b)  That powers be delegated to the Director of Children, Learning and Skills Services, in consultation with the Lead Member for Children and Schools, to agree all terms with the London Borough of Harrow, the Secretary of State For Education, the Thomas Coram Foundation for Children, the Slough Children’s Services Trust and other participant authorities and to arrange for the Council to enter into or execute all deeds and agreements necessary to put such arrangements into effect, and

(c)  That a delegation to the Director of Children, Learning and Skills  to make all further decisions regarding the final arrangements to enable the Council join the RAA including amendments to the arrangements with SCST as appropriate, and

(d)  That powers be delegated to the Director of Children, Learning and Skills,  in consultation with the Section 151 officer, to approve the financial model and funding contributions, and

(e)  That the requirement for the TUPE transfer of adoption staff from SCST to Thomas Coram Foundation for Children is noted.