Jane Poore, Adoption Consultant, is joined by Alistair to discuss Chairing adoption panels, and his experience as a single adoptive parent. They touch on the support plan that helped Alistair and his son, for both of their needs, and the support they had before the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). 

They widen their conversation to consider the adoption process and the needs of children and their families, which mirrors the responsibilities Alistair had as a panel chair. As they consider Alistair’s retirement, they also consider the changes over the past 10 years or more since he began as a panel chair. 

The changes of moving online to conduct panels, and adapting to circumstances have been a positive movement in making panels more accessible and diverse panels. Alistair shares advice, actions and resources that have been invaluable to his role as a panel chair. 

Alistair is a single parent adopter following the adoption of his son in 2010. He first joined an adoption panel at Families for Children in 2013, after a suggestion from a social worker, to bring his experience of adoption and commitment to ensuring adopters have good support in place for them. 

He joined the Somerset Adoption Panel in 2014, later becoming Vice-Chair, to then become Chair of the Devon Adoption Panel in 2015. Whilst Somerset and Devon became part of Adopt South West (ASW), the new Regional Adoption Agency, in October 2018, Alistair continues his role as Chair with ASW until June 2025.

Find out more: Episode 46 | Chairing with care: Insights from adoption panels | CoramBAAF