National Minimum Standards for Adoption Support Agencies

1.	Safeguarding and promoting welfare
2.	Services
3.	Staff
4.	Complaints and representations
5.	Records and accessing them

Introduction
This is a summary of the national minimum standards relating to adoption support agencies. The standards are published by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the full version can be accessed from this page.

The standards focus on achieving good quality services for adoptive children, adopted adults and their adoptive and birth parents. In assessing whether an adoption support agency is complying with the standards and regulations Ofsted must take the standards into account along with any other factors it considers reasonable.

It is intended that these standards will be used to focus on securing good quality services for the agency's service users and reducing risks to the welfare and safety.

1. Safeguarding and promoting welfare

Statement of Purpose. Each adoption support agency (ASA) must have information that sets out what services it intends to offer, what facilities it has and who these services and facilities are available to. This information is often called a 'Statement of Purpose'. The statement must also say how people can complain to the agency.

Children's Guide. The agency should also produce a guide for children that is suitable for all children it has contact with. The guide should tell children what services are available to them, how to make a complaint, how to get independent advice and how to contact the Children's Rights Director.

Safeguarding. The agency should safeguard and promote the physical, mental and emotional welfare of people affected by adoption who want to use its services. Agency staff should be trained in how to respond to suspicions or evidence of abuse.

The agency must record all allegations and incidents of abuse relating to agency staff or volunteers. These matters should be dealt with quickly. The details and the action taken should be recorded.