Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence for the meeting.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

Any other members of the Board may declare an interest for the purpose of transparency.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 15 December 2025.

Icebreaker item led by Young People and the Participation Team for everyone at the Board meeting to participate in.

This report provides an update on progress against the three Corporate Parenting pledges agreed by the Corporate Parenting Board:

• expanding work experience opportunities
• increasing access to discounts and wellbeing support
• improving digital inclusion for Care Experienced Young People (CEYP).

BCP Council has a duty under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 to establish and maintain an adoption service for its area.

BCP Council along with Dorset Council discharges this duty through a delegation of functions to Aspire Adoption, a Regional Adoption Agency. BCP retains overall responsibility for its adoption and special guardianship services, continuing to have parental responsibility for its own Children in Care but most adoption and some special guardianship functions are delegated to Aspire Adoption. Special Guardianship function returned to the Local Authority in April 2025.

BCP Council Host Aspire Adoption Services as the Regional Adoption Agency.

The appended report is the eighth annual adoption report produced by Aspire Adoption, summarising the work of the agency in the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025. It has been written to ensure and provides the Council with an opportunity to satisfy itself that the requirements of the Statutory Adoption Guidance 2013 and the Adoption Minimum Standards 2014 are met.

This report provides a summary of the operational and strategic activity of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency.

Quarterly updating performance data summary for children in Care and Care Experienced young people open to BCP Council.

To consider and amend the Board’s Forward Plan as appropriate.

The Board is asked to note the future dates arranged for meetings of the Board as follows:

·       Monday 22 June 2026 – 5.00pm - 7.00pm

·       Monday 28 September 2026 – 5.00pm – 7.00pm

·       Monday 14 December 2026 – 5.00pm – 7.00pm