Norman Goodwin CBE

Norman is a qualified social worker who joined Adoption Matters in 1985, initially as a team manager moving up to Chief Executive by 1992. Over the past 35 years, alongside leading the agency through significant growth and success, Norman has tirelessly campaigned to raise the profile of adoption and the status of the Voluntary/Independent Adoption sector. His contributions and achievements include:

Overseeing the successful mergers between Adoption Matters and Blackburn Diocesan Adoption Agency in 2007 and DFW Adoption, Durham in 2018

An honorary MA from the University of Chester (2012) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to social work, adoption services and the family

A CBE awarded in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours in, ‘recognition of his outstanding contribution and distinguished service to adoption services and the family’

Norman has also made significant contributions to a number of key national initiatives and working groups on adoption including:

Tim Loughton’s Ministerial Advisory Group and the Conservative Party Review of Adoption working party

The Prime Minister’s Expert Working Group on Adoption and the Adoption Implementation Group which became the Adoption Leadership Board

Current Trustee and twice chair of CVAA, helping to drive developments and policy, such as the equalising of the Inter-agency fee

Formerly a member of the Board of Trustees of the British Association Adoption and Fostering (BAAF).

Contributing to several publications including: Barriers to Adoption? Variations In The Use of Adoption By Local Authorities; When Two Become One – A Guide To Merger For Voluntary Sector Organisations Working With Children And Families and No Place Like Home: Improving Adoption Services

Family Building Event