Ofsted inspectors praise "significant difference" made to children's lives by Sunderland adoption agency
It’s the third consecutive time the agency has been rated as ‘Outstanding’
Sunderland based voluntary adoption agency, ARC Adoption North East, is celebrating after receiving a glowing report from regulator Ofsted.
It is the third consecutive time that the agency has been rated as ‘outstanding’ in all categories covered by the inspection, with inspectors praising the organisation for the “significant difference made to the life outcomes” of children, young people and adults.
Inspectors said: “There is a huge focus in the agency for securing permanence for children and keeping families together. The range of pre and post-adoption support provided by the agency is incredible. The support that children and adopters receive from the agency is lifelong.”
The Ofsted report identified the “overwhelmingly positive” experience highlighted by prospective adopters.
As part of the inspection process, Ofsted asked for the views of adopter families.
One contributor said: “The agency has over delivered to ensure my child thrives.
“From the beginning you get a sense of passion from the agency and they really understand adoption.
“From the minute I stepped into the information event, I have never looked back.”
The inspectors also described the strong feeling of family within the agency and the wide range of support for families.
The agency was commended for its timely and sensitive work with adults who have been adopted and birth parents who have had children removed from their care.
Following the inspection, the agency’s founder and director, Terry Fitzpatrick OBE, said: “We are absolutely delighted to again achieve an outstanding rating by Ofsted and it is humbling to read such wonderful feedback from the inspectors. Lorraine Jefferson (co-founder) and I are extremely proud of the team, and the result is testament to their dedication and ongoing hard work.
“We all feel privileged to work in the field of adoption and securing permanence for children. While adoption is not an easy route to parenthood, we believe in the difference it can make to children’s lives and to those people who wish to become parents, and are committed to supporting families in every way we can.
“We’d also like to send our sincere thanks to the children, parents and other adults supported by our agency who contributed their feedback of our service to the Ofsted inspectors. It is really appreciated by the whole team.”
Since ARC Adoption was established in 2014, the agency has helped to find loving homes for over 350 children.
Anyone interested in adopting can attend one of the agency’s information events, with the next one taking place on Saturday April 25.
You can register for the event on the agency’s website. ARC Adoption North East is a not- for-profit organisation.