‘Adopting Together’ wins top UK award

23 September 2021 | General News

A partnership which places children who wait the longest for adoption in Wales has won a top UK award for its societal impact.

The Adopting Together collaboration triumphed at Innovate UK’s annual Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Awards.

The KTP project brought together St David’s Children Society – an adoption specialist dedicated to finding families for vulnerable children across Wales – Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, and Cardiff Business School, supported by Welsh Government.

The KTP allowed St David’s Children’s Society to team with Cardiff’s academic expertise, translating research findings from the Wales Adoption Cohort Study into a practical methodology to facilitate the adoption of priority children.

By gathering expertise from clinical psychologists and therapeutic social workers, Adopting Together has improved the lives of many children by delivering early intervention, increased the placement of the number of children who wait for adoption and new commissioning models.

St David’s Society Chief Executive Wendy Keidan, Cardiff School of Psychology’s Professor Katherine Shelton, and KTP Associate Coralie Merchant jointly welcomed the award.

‘Everyone is simply delighted to receive recognition for what has been a truly collaborative enterprise working with the team and colleagues across the National Adoption Service and therapeutic partner from the get-go. Behind the hard work in creating a therapeutically informed Adopting Together service to meet the needs of adoptive families has been a shared vision of making a difference to children’s lives. We would like to also thank Welsh Government for their support in helping to make this vision a reality.”

First introduced in 2020, the Societal Impact award recognises the wider impacts of KTP, including projects who have delivered a societal, social, or environmental benefit.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I’d like to congratulate St. David’s Children Society and Cardiff University on this superb achievement. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships offer real solutions to difficult problems for industry, and this award recognises their ability to help solve societal problems too by having a real world impact and genuinely improving people’s lives. In Wales industry and academia continue to collaborate so positively for the benefit of future generations and the Welsh Government will continue to support that.”

The UK’s knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) scheme helps organisations in the UK to innovate and grow. It does this by linking them with an academic or research organisation and a graduate.

A KTP enables an organisation to bring in new skills and academic thinking to deliver a specific, strategic innovation project through a knowledge-based partnership.

Cardiff University has an outstanding track record for developing award-winning KTPs.

Business Manager Paul Thomas said: “Huge congratulations to everyone involve in winning this award. We are delighted that Innovate UK have yet again recognised Cardiff’s ability to deliver exemplary partnerships that have huge value and lead to significant impact.”

 

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
float 5

Featured Updates

Our latest news, blogs and stories

See all updates
13 September 2019 | Adopter Stories

With St David’s amazing support, we’re doing OK.

When our daughter’s social worker visited our home to see that we could accommodate the little person about to enter into our lives, she mentioned the “honeymoon period” that adopters often have.

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
7 February 2024 | General News

Run the Cardiff Half Marathon

Run the Cardiff Half Marathon and help us support adopted children and their family.

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
7 February 2024 | Press Releases

LGBTQ+ Adoption Guide

LGBTQ+ Adoption Guide   St David’s Adoption Service proudly announces the release of its groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Adoption Guide, a comprehensive resource aimed at supporting individuals within the LGBTQ+ community on their adoption journey.

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
2 February 2024 | Adoption Processes

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our LGBTQ+ Guide to Adoption! In celebration of LGBT History Month this February, we are proud to introduce a comprehensive guide highlighting the inclusive and supportive environment we provide for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples on their adoption journey.

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
26 January 2024 | Uncategorised

Adoption UK – Adoption Barometer 2024

Adoption Barometer Take part in the Adoption Barometer Survey 2024  The Adoption Barometer is the only UK-wide comprehensive stock-take of adoption, based on the findings of a large annual survey of adopters and adoptees, and an assessment of government adoption policies.

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
23 October 2023 | Blog

The 26km Challenge

Last week, during National Adoption Week, the St.

DW
Dan Warner
Read more
Share