The new Coram-i improvement consultancy led by Kevin Yong builds on its experience of significant performance improvements in the LAs within which its teams have already been based and has provided diagnostic assessments in over 20 local authorities. The portfolio of services offered by Coram-i’s multi-professional team of consultants includes an in-depth analysis of the legal processes and practice around children’s care proceedings, a diagnosis of adoption services, and a tool to help managers and staff improve performance. Its partnership work in Kent has led to 182 children being adopted in 2014/15 in comparison to 70 in 2011/12 and an expenditure of £1.6m avoided in those intervening years.
As the new Head of Consultancy at Coram-i, Kevin will manage all of its improvement work with local authorities. His career has involved working in the private, public and voluntary sectors, and through that he brings together expertise in consultancy, data analysis and the frontline delivery of children’s services. His experience includes 15 years as a management consultant, 5 years as the Managing Director of an international statistical consultancy company, 7 years of supporting the delivery of government policy and 3 years of improving local authority services.
Strategies employed by Coram-i are designed to decrease adoption and fostering wait times, improve efficiency and make best use of local authority funds as well as raise Ofsted inspection ratings. In short, to make sure that children who are in care are enabled to live with a family who will commit, love and care for them.
Renuka Jeyarajah-Dent, Coram’s Director of Operations said: ‘We’re proud to have been able to develop Coram-i with the support of the local authorities we have worked with and a grant from the Social Care innovation Fund. It aims to create a new type of partnership with local authorities that will ensure the best possible results for those vulnerable children and young people whose circumstances have meant that they have been placed in local authority care. Coram’s strong track record demonstrates what can be achieved with effective collaboration, and we look forward to building more successful partnerships to streamline the adoption and fostering processes.’
How Coram worked with Kent County Council to improve adoption services