Barnardo’s takes on adoption agency as trading subsidiary

14 Aug 2018 News

Children’s charity Barnardo’s has taken on a Buckinghamshire based adoption agency, Adoptionplus, as a trading subsidiary.

Adoptionplus will retain its branding, and a Barnardo’s spokeswoman said that the charity’s aim is to over time grow the “reach of Adoptionplus throughout the UK, with support from Barnardo’s in scaling up operations”. The two bodies are describing the process as a partnership.

This will “will ensure continuity of existing Adoptionplus services while enabling Barnardo’s to develop new, specialist adoption services nationally”.

AdoptionPlus, which according to documents filed with Companies House is a private company limited by guarantee, has no plans to change its senior management teams or make any redundancies.

Javed Khan, chief executive of Barnardo’s, said: “At Barnardo’s we’re committed to helping looked after children enjoy safer and happier childhoods, and this partnership with Adoptionplus helps us do just that.

“This is a natural step forward for Barnardo’s as the UK’s largest independent adoption agency. For the last two decades we have focused on finding loving, secure families for the most vulnerable children. By combining our existing expertise with the innovative, specialist services established by Adoptionplus, we will continue to offer the best possible support for children and people who would like to adopt.”

Joanne Alper, director of services at Adoptionplus, said: “Adoptionplus is delighted to join together with Barnardo’s. As an Ofsted-rated ‘outstanding’ adoption agency, Adoptionplus has always been passionate about improving the lives of children and those who care for them.

“Our vision has led us to focus on effective service development, research, innovation and training in the fields of adoption and adoption support. As a small voluntary adoption agency, our capacity and reach has been limited. By joining with Barnardo’s, Adoptionplus will have the opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of many more children around the UK.”

The lease of the Adoptionplus centres will transfer to Barnardo’s, with Barnardo’s saying it has no plans to make any changes to the centres. However, it said, Adoptionplus staff will have access to Barnardo’s network of services and regional offices across the UK. 

Services currently provided by Adoptionplus will continue as usual and families will continue to receive specialist therapeutic support.

 

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