A new three-year partnership agreement between Thurrock council’s adoption service and a child and family charity will bring significant benefits for children and parents involved in adoption.

Councillors gave backing to the plan at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday July 8, which will see the council work with Coram Adoption, which has one of the highest placement success levels in the country.

Thurrock is a relatively small adoption agency and has been looking to partner with a leading adoption agency to enhance its service. Cllr Bukky Okunade, portfolio holder for children’s social care, said: “I welcome this partnership which can only be good news for our looked after children. It will extend the range of prospective adopters, and improve the support we give them before and after adoption.

“Adoption services across the country – not just here in Thurrock – are under all sorts of pressure to increase the pool and diversity of possible adoption candidates. Our partnership with Coram will also contribute to addressing the national shortage of adopters.”