Issue details

Adoption West was created as a wholly owned local authority company, limited by guarantee, for the delivery of adoption services on behalf of six participating authorities, including Gloucestershire County Council. It is now almost 3 years since Adoption West (AW) commenced operation on 1st March 2019 and, as such, the current contractual arrangements and commissioning agreement will come to an end on 28th February 2022. Adoption West is unique in being the only regional adoption arrangement using this vehicle as its delivery model.

The original Commissioning Agreement (as defined) provides an option to extend its term for a period of up to 5 years commencing 1st March 2022, subject to the agreement of the participating local authorities. Initial discussions between the participating authorities via the Adoption West Board suggest an appetite to proceed on this basis, acknowledging the good progress being made and the not inconsequential challenges of recommissioning and/or participants’ departing the arrangements.

The extension will be progressed by a variation to the current commissioning agreement, alongside a revised service specification and financial agreement reflecting the operational changes that have taken place since commencement.