Not- for-profit agency providing adoption services throughout the North East, praised by Ofsted for delivering ‘exceptional’ outcomes.
Sunderland, Thursday 16th April 2026: Tyne and Wear based voluntary adoption agency, ARC Adoption North East, is celebrating after receiving a glowing report from regulator Ofsted, who inspected them in March of this year.
It is the third consecutive time that the agency has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ in all categories covered by the inspection, with inspectors praising the organisation for the significant difference made to the life outcomes of children, young people and adults.
Inspectors, who looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and adults that the agency works with, commented:
“There is a huge focus in the agency for securing permanence for children and keeping families together. The range of pre- and post-adoption support provided by the agency is incredible. The support that children and adopters receive from the agency is lifelong.”
This sentiment was echoed by adopters who spoke to inspectors about their experiences with ARC Adoption:
“The agency has over delivered to ensure my child thrives.”
“From the beginning you get a sense of passion from the agency and they really understand adoption.”
“From the minute I stepped into the information event, I have never looked back.”
The Ofsted report referenced the ‘overwhelmingly positive’ experience’ highlighted by prospective adopters and adopters, and the strong feeling of family within the agency. A wide range of support for families was referenced, including:
· Quality training and preparation for adopters that helps them understand children’s early experiences and how best to care for them
· Supportive and diligent assessment of adopters, and robust matching with children including input of an in-house clinical psychologist
· An open-door policy for children and adopters, to drop in or call for support
· Opportunities for children and families to enjoy activities and days out together, as well as a range of growing support groups
· Direct support for education or learning issues children may experience, with the agency’s new education advisor
· A strong focus on children’s safety with a proactive and creative safeguarding practice
The agency was also highly commended for its timely and sensitive work with adults who have been adopted and birth parents who have had children removed from their care.
Director, Terry Fitzpatrick OBE, who founded ARC Adoption in 2014, alongside Assistant Director, Lorraine Jefferson, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to again achieve an Outstanding rating by Ofsted and it is humbling to read such wonderful feedback from the inspectors. Lorraine and I are extremely proud of the team, and the result is testament to their dedication and ongoing hard work. We all feel privileged to work in the field of adoption and securing permanence for children. While adoption is not an easy route to parenthood, we believe in the difference it can make to children’s lives and to those people who wish to become parents, and are committed to supporting families in every way we can.
“We’d also like to send our sincere thanks to the children, parents and other adults supported by our agency who contributed their feedback of our service to the Ofsted inspectors. It is really appreciated by the whole team.”
Since ARC Adoption was established in 2014, the agency has helped to find loving homes for over 350 children.
Today there are over 3000 children with a plan of adoption in England and 200 in the North East alone. The ARC Adoption team would welcome enquiries from anyone who may be interested in becoming an adoptive parent and provide a loving home to a child or children.
The agency hosts regular information sessions where people can hear about adopting from the team and an experienced adopter – the next one being on Saturday 25th April at the ARC Adoption office at the North East Business and Innovation Centre in Sunderland. Anyone interested can book a space via the website: https://www.arcadoptionne.org.uk/events/adoption-information-event-in-sunderland-saturday-25th-april-2026
ARC Adoption was inspected between 2nd and 5th March 2026, with the report released in April 2026.
You can read a full copy of the Ofsted report here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/7/SC474819