Changes are coming at Adopt Coast to Coast

The Adopt Coast to Coast Regional Adoption Agency formed in April 2021 as a partnership between Cumbria County Council, Durham County Council and Together for Children (Sunderland City Council). 

In the past two years, we have successfully found permanent homes for over 226 children and supported over 150 families to become approved adopters, while also providing ongoing support to hundreds of families.

From this coming April, the local authorities in Cumbria will look different, with two new unitary councils replacing the current county council and six district councils.  This impending change has also led to a review of Adopt Coast to Coast, and all partners feel it is the right time to draw the current agency arrangement to a close.

As of 1^st April 2023, Durham County Council and Together for Children (Sunderland City Council) will continue to work together as a Regional Adoption Agency.  The two new councils in Cumbria – Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council – will continue to deliver their adoption services as usual, and in the long-term are considering options that will suit the geographies of the two new areas.

Paula Gibbons, Head of Service for Adopt Coast to Coast said:

We are very proud of what we have achieved as Adopt Coast to Coast and the difference we have made to the lives of children and families in the North East and North West of England. Whilst the Adopt Coast to Coast partnership is changing, our collective commitment to doing the upmost to ensure that children will achieve their full potential within a loving and secure family remains as strong as ever.  We are now working together to ensure that our families and potential adopters are not disrupted by the impending changes, and our families continue to receive the best service from the team with whom they are already working.

If you are interested in finding out more about adoption, then please do still get in touch or make an enquiry.  Whether you live in Cumbria, Durham, Sunderland or outside of these areas, you will receive the same great support and advice throughout and you will continue to work with the same team you enquire with once the Regional Adoption Agency arrangements change in April.