PRESS RELEASE: Together for Children Sunderland – Adoption Inspection rated “good” by Ofsted

Together for Children’s Adoption Services have maintained their Ofsted rating of “good” following a full inspection in November 2022.

Together for Children Adoption Sunderland provides services on behalf of Sunderland City Council and is also a partner of the Regional Adoption Agency, Adopt Coast to Coast.

Inspectors met with adopters, children, social workers and managers, exploring recruitment, training, and support.

Ofsted described the Adoption service in their report very positively; “Adoptive families benefit from the wraparound service provided by a long-standing and stable staff team. This is a particular strength of the agency”.  They go on to reflect in the Inspection outcome that  “The agency recognises the importance of the adopter’s family and friends in the preparation and matching stages of the process.”

One adopter fed back that in relation to ‘child appreciation days’ and ‘bump-into’ meetings “These are absolutely invaluable. It has given so many fabulous insights into my child’s life from birth to present day.”

Another adopter interviewed as part of the Inspection commented: “We have felt welcomed and supported. Our whole experience from start to finish was fantastic; we recommended the agency to our friends, who have now been approved to adopt.”

Reflecting on the Inspection outcome, Jill Colbert, Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services for Together for Children said:

The Ofsted outcome we have achieved is testament to our staff’s continued hard work.  I am proud that the Ofsted Inspectors recognise the excellent work the adoption team deliver identifying the team as ‘passionate about [their] role and aspirational about the agency’.

Ofsted also recognised within the inspection that “adoptive families benefit from the wraparound service provided by a long-standing and stable staff team and that that this was a particular strength of the agency … from first contact through to post-adoption assistance.”

Councillor Louise Farthing, Children’s Services Portfolio Holder said

Ofsted’s report highlights the amazing service that the Team deliver through the Adoption Agency model and the successes it is delivering in both identifying families but also supporting them through their journey and beyond.  Their positive experience has led to adopters being strong advocates for others interested in adoption.

Majella McCarthy, Directors of Children’s Social Care added

I welcome the comments of the Inspectors, in particular the feedback they received during the inspection from adopters and professionals who describe the staff as ‘going over and beyond to help’ and of being ‘professional, caring and informative’.  We have already started to address the 3 recommendations made by the Inspector which will strengthen our work.

In its first year as part of the Adopt Coast to Coast model Together for Children has supported finding homes for 120 children and approved 77 adopters (2021/22.)

Find out more

The full Ofsted report, can be found on the Ofsted website here.

Start your adoption story today by completing an enquiry form here.