Agency Decision Maker resources

CoramBAAF have been commissioned by Adoption England to produce a series of training resources to support Agency Decision Makers in their decision-making and processes. Written and produced by CoramBAAF, these resources include written materials and several films featuring detailed case law examples.

CoramBAAF runs a drop-in session specifically for Adoption Agency Decision Makers. These sessions offer a space to discuss, share, and reflect on cases, practices, and procedures with peers. While not a traditional Practice Forum, these are more like 'surgery sessions' run by our Adoption and Legal Consultants, but also sessions with our Health Consultant and visiting guests such as the Service Manager of the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM). These sessions are every other third Thursday of the month (six times a year).

Downloadable documents

The Child’s Permanence Report (CPR) for Agency Decision Makers

The Child Permanence Report (CPR) provides vital information to support agency decision-makers in determining whether adoption is the best plan for a child. It combines essential evidence required for placement order applications, ensuring compliance with legal standards and guiding the court's decision on the child’s future. It also provides information for matching and most importantly is a record of information and decisions for the child throughout their life and as an adult accessing their records.

Adoption Agency Decision-Making (England)

The decision-maker holds a crucial and distinct position within an adoption agency. Previously, adoption plans for children were reviewed by panels for recommendation before the Best Interest or Should be Placed for Adoption decision was made by the agency decision-maker.

The majority of these decisions now go directly to the ADM who is required to make an independent decision.

Part 19 - Informing family members

This document explains the 'Part 19 application,' which refers to Part 19 of the Family Procedure Rules 2010. It outlines the process for court applications when no other procedure is specified. In adoption cases, this procedure is often used when adoption is being considered, but the mother wishes to keep the child’s existence confidential from family members but can also be used in other scenarios