Parents and Children Together
| Abbreviation | PACT |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1911 |
| Type | Adoption agency, Charitable organisation |
| Headquarters | Reading |
Key people | Wes Cuell (Chair of Trustees) |
| Affiliations | Diocese of Oxford |
| Website | pactcharity.org |
PACT (Parents And Children Together) is a British charity and voluntary adoption agency based in Reading, Berkshire.[1][2] It is legally constituted as the Oxford Diocesan Council for Social Work Incorporated, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (charity no. 285214; company no. 1636098).[3] The organisation provides adoption services and family support programmes in partnership with local authorities in London and southern England.[4][5][6]
History
PACT was established in 1911 by the then Bishop of Oxford as the social welfare arm of the Anglican Diocese of Oxford.[7] The founding purpose was to provide support to unmarried mothers and children in need within the diocese.[8]
The organisation later developed into an independent charity and voluntary adoption agency, while retaining a formal affiliation with the Diocese of Oxford. The Bishop of Oxford serves as patron of the charity.[9]
In 2011, PACT merged with Childlink, a London-based adoption charity that had been experiencing financial difficulties, transferring its case files and staff to PACT and extending the organisation's adoption services into London.[10][11][12]
Activities
PACT operates as a voluntary adoption agency, recruiting and assessing prospective adopters, placing children in care with adoptive families, and providing post-adoption support.[13][14]
In addition to adoption, PACT runs two community programmes based in Reading. Alana House is a community project supporting women facing multiple disadvantages, including those affected by domestic abuse.[15] Bounce Back 4 Kids (BB4K) is a programme for children who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse and their non-perpetrating parents.[16]
PACT also provides therapeutic and online support services to adoptive families, adopted young people and the professionals working with them through a platform called CATCH (Children and Trauma Community Hub).[17] The Hub was originally developed as a pilot in 2017 with a grant from the Department for Education.[18]
Governance
PACT's adoption services are regulated by Ofsted, which rated the agency as Outstanding at inspections in 2014, 2017 and 2023.[19] PACT is governed by a board of trustees, chaired by Wes Cuell, a former Director of Services for Children and Young People at the NSPCC and a former board member of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command.[20][21][22]
References
- ↑ "PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER Charity number: 285214". Charity Commission. Register of Charities. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Adoption Records". GenGuide. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "OXFORD DIOCESAN COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL WORK INCORPORATED". Companies House. His Majesty's Government. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ Coles, Charlotte (16 March 2026). "'Overwhelming' response to triplet adoption plea". BBC News. BBC.
- ↑ "Freemasons support adopted children with complex needs". Masonic Charitable Foundation. MCF. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ Mason, Kathleen Anne (2003). Families' Experiences of Adopting from Overseas (PDF) (Thesis). University of Newcastle upon Tyne. p. 94.
- ↑ "A Manifesto to Strengthen Families – Lord Bishop of Oxford". Hansard. UK Parliament. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- ↑ "PACT". Diocese of Oxford. The Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Adopt with PACT". Home for Good Charity. Home for Good. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Adoption charities merge under Parents and Children Together umbrella". Third Sector. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Childlink saved by Parents and Children Together". Children & Young People Now. CYP Now. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "30 Years of Action – A Brief History of CVAA" (PDF). Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies. CVAA. p. 33. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ Coles, Charlotte (11 March 2026). "Urgent plea to find triplets a forever home". BBC News. BBC.
- ↑ "Parents and Children Together (PACT)". Reading Voluntary Action. RVA.org.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ Clothier, Jake (28 October 2025). "Children's Minister meets with PACT during National Adoption Week". Wokingham Today.
- ↑ "Bounce Back 4 Kids: Helping families heal together". Foundations. What Works Centre for Children & Families. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "CATCH – a new name for PACT's Adopter Hub". Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies. CVAA. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "CATCH History". CATCH Connect. Children and Trauma Community Hub. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "PACT Ratings and Reports Reading Office". Ofsted GOV UK. Ofsted. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "Wesley Cuell". Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ "ITV Exposure Our Kids in Care programme prompts inquiry". BBC News. BBC. 15 December 2017.
- ↑ "Public Services Awards 2007". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. 23 May 2007.
External links
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