A Nottingham-based voluntary adoption agency is to merge with a similar organisation from the West Midlands to start 2022.
Officials from Faith In Families have mutually agreed to join forces with Birmingham based Adoption Focus - the name that the company will continue to operate under - making it one of the largest Voluntary Adoption Agencies in the country, with more than 60 employees; operating across the whole of the Midlands, from the South Yorkshire border to the M25, and with a combined annual income of over £3.5million.
The merger of the agencies, each rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, is set to be completed on 1st January 2022. The Trustees and staff of Adoption Focus and Faith in Families will be fully integrated; building on the strengths, knowledge and practice each organisation has developed.
Faith in Families’ CEO, Laura Payne, has decided to move into an independent role, focusing on her expertise in training and consultancy.
Anna Sharkey, Adoption Focus CEO, said: “We are looking forward to 2022 and our exciting adoption service development, with the staff in both Faith in Families and Adoption Focus.
“The merger will increase the skills, knowledge and resources of both agencies; and enable the continuation of excellent support to adoptive families and those in the adoption process. Through our combined expertise we will provide more placements for the children who need them, both through adoption and fostering for adoption via the Triangle Project.”
Edward Hayes, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Faith in Families, added: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Faith in Families I am certain that this merger with Adoption Focus will allow the excellent work done by our charity over the past 70 years to continue and develop.
“Our two agencies, both grown from original Diocesan Children’s Societies, share the same values and the same excellent Ofsted ratings. This creation of a new Midlands-wide adoption agency and children’s support-based charity brings new opportunities and benefits, and ensures that our motto ‘from our traditional roots their future blossoms’ will continue to be the aim of our work for many years into the future.”
Benjamin James, Chairperson of Adoption Focus said: “We have worked alongside Faith in Families for many years, and respect and value their long history of making better lives for children.
“I am delighted that we are able to welcome the Faith in Families’ team into Adoption Focus, along with the children and families they support. We are committed to providing lifelong support to those who have been adopted and their families, and will do so not only for our families but those created through Faith in Families.
“The merger means Adoption Focus will operate over a third of England, from the Welsh borders to the North Sea through the heart of England; and we are committed to supporting families, local authorities and Regional Adoption Agencies in placing those children most in need of care with their forever family.”