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Performance Scrutiny Committee - Partnerships. Scrutiny committees question decisions and can recommend changes. They don't make the decision.
South East Wales Adoption Service update
The Committee praised progress on reducing waiting times for children and on adoption support. It asked for detailed updates in the next report on progress with post-commencement regulations (rules on adopted adults' access to birth records), the results of national and regional recruitment campaigns, and the impact of the Welsh Early Permanence scheme. It also recommended ongoing monitoring and evaluation of new initiatives, to be included in next year's report. It requested more information on how changes in the law, which let adopted children find out their birth parents' identities, affect the service.
Performance Scrutiny Committee - Partnerships. Scrutiny committees question decisions and can recommend changes. They don't make the decision.
South East Wales Adoption Service update
The Committee noted that the adoption offer in Gwent is strong compared with some other regions. It acknowledged the improved social media presence since a new Marketing Officer joined in January 2025. It suggested reaching out to more people who can share information professionally. It recommended a more user-friendly SEWAS website that clearly links to Newport. It asked for feedback in the next report on how protected characteristic status (a legal category that protects people from discrimination) for care-experienced people is being implemented, and its impact on Community Parenting.
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