Inspection report highlights mixed performance at Mid and West Wales Regional Adoption Collaborative
The inspection, which focused on how the service promotes the wellbeing and safety of children through permanent adoptive placements, revealed both strengths and areas for improvement.
Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) has published its findings following an inspection of the Mid and West Wales Regional Adoption Collaborative, conducted between 28 April and 1 May 2025. The collaborative comprises of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Powys local authorities.
Key inspection findings
The collaborative demonstrated robust practices in the assessment and training of potential adopters. CIW inspectors found these processes to be comprehensive, providing strong assurance about the suitability of applicants to become adoptive parents.
The Regional Adoption Collaborative also demonstrated effective processes for matching children with potential and approved adopters. Panel observations evidenced strong practice, with timely and well-informed recommendations made to decision-makers.
However, the inspection highlighted several challenges. The collaborative currently lacks a signed partnership agreement, which has led to strategic management difficulties and inconsistencies in service delivery. Leaders have acknowledged that governance arrangements need to be formalised and improved, with a working group established to develop a signed partnership agreement by October 2025.
Adoption support services were found to vary in quality and accessibility, with waiting lists affecting some families' ability to access timely support. Survey responses from adoptive families indicated mixed experiences of support provision, while adoption support plans were inconsistent in quality and detail.
The report also noted that different electronic systems within the collaborative are hindering efficiency, and quality assurance measures were deemed insufficient.
Next steps
Care Inspectorate Wales has asked Adoption Mid and West Wales for an improvement plan outlining how they will address the findings in the report. This plan will be used to measure progress and shape the focus of future inspections.
For all our findings and recommendations, read the full inspection report below.