Support was not received from the voluntary sector, as SMBC cut the funding to After Adoption despite receiving a grant of £600k for just that purpose.
Email received 13 December 2013 11:36
Dear Mrs Oliver,
I am writing in response to your request for information (ref FOI 8019).
The relevant Council Service(s) has searched for the requested information and our response is as follows.
Below is an extract from the minutes which are a public document and a full copy of available on the Council website:
“The second question related to the time frame for assessments of adoption needs under the Adoption and Children Act, 2002 and responsibility for performing assessments.
The Executive Councillor (Children & Young People) responded that there was a three year support plan before a child was placed for adoption. In the event of a request for a further assessment, the response would be based on need and urgency considerations. The timescale was based on seven days for initial assessment and thirty five days for a more comprehensive assessment. The local authority had a legal duty to undertake assessments and they were carried out by qualified social workers but support was provided from a range of service providers including the voluntary sector.”
My question to the Council:-
Dear FoI Officer
This question was asked of Weldon at the Executive Meeting on 8th September 2008 by Mr Parnell. What was Weldon’s response or what action did he subsequently take to assist Mr Parnell with his problem?
Main question – “Adoption & Children’s Act 2002. Under this statutory act you can request an assessment of your adoption needs. Does this Local Authority following a request for an assessment have a time frame in which an assessment is done and then concluded?”
Supplementary question – “Who has the legal duty in this Local Authority to perform this assessment, and if this is not done, then who is responsible to enforce what is passed in law..”
Kind regards
Sheila
