The official inspection and regulating body for children’s services has reported that Suffolk County Council’s Adoption Service is outstanding following a recent inspection.

The adoption service was praised for the recruitment of adoptive families and for fully preparing both families and the children for the adoption process.

Following national interest, Suffolk Adoption Service was also praised for the quality and timely manner of matching children and adoptive families.

In particular Ofsted praised the Adoption service on its dedicated staff:

‘This agency is exceptionally well managed and staffed by people who are totally dedicated to improving the lives of children.’

During the recent inspection one adopter summed up their experience of working with the agency by saying

‘From start to finish the agency has performed outstandingly well and communicated exceptionally well. They are clearly child-focused but sensitive to our needs at all times.’

Councillor Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for Children, Schools and Young People’s Services, said:

“I am delighted that Suffolk’s adoption service has been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted. With the heightened national political interest in how local authorities currently handle adoption services, it is extremely gratifying to know that Suffolk is one of the most respected in the whole of the country.

“Our success can be attributed to the dedicated members of staff who have the knowledge, ability and compassion to make a real difference to the lives of the children and young people in our care and indeed the adoptive families. I would like to congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.”

A full version of the Ofsted report is available online.

Suffolk Adoption Agency now hopes this recent report will encourage more local people to come forward and consider adopting a Suffolk child. To find out more please call 0800 389 9417 or visit www.suffolkadoption.com