Adoption service’s future is secured after charity closes
Scotland-wide register’s services to be transferred to new group
A SERVICE which aims to boost the number of children who are placed with families for adoption has been safeguarded after a leading charity went into administration.
Scotland’s Adoption Register had been operated by The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAFF) on behalf of the Scottish Government for the past four years and had put together 200 adoptive children with families.
But the BAFF is to close after running into financial difficulties. Three jobs are to be lost in Scotland and another six are under threat.
The register has now been transferred to St Andrew’s Children’s Society, with the minister responsible saying its continuation is “fundamental” to the wellbeing of some of the country’s most vulnerable children.
Fiona McLeod, Acting Minister for Children and Young People, said: “The news of BAAF’s closure will come as a shock for many families across the UK. Our focus is on minimising the potential impact of this situation on children and families and I am pleased that we have been able to transfer the register to St Andrew’s Children’s Society.”
Until the register was established, local authorities would often only look within their own area for matches.
The work of BAAF Scotland on the adoption register is to be transferred, along with two members of staff, to Edinburgh-based adoption and fostering charity the St Andrew’s Children’s Society.
The database is used to match children and young people with adoptive families and encourage councils to adopt similar methods for doing so effectively.
Ms McLeod added: “Earlier this year we marked the milestone of 200 families being brought together using the register. We are determined not to lose that momentum on something this fundamental to the well-being of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people.”
Stephen Small, St Andrew’s director, said: “We are happy to respond to a request at very short notice from the Scottish Government to take over the running of the register. We are keen to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible at this difficult time.”
St Andrew’s will also launch a new Adoption Advice Line for Scotland in the coming weeks.
The Scottish Government is also funding BAAF’s administrators to retain Scottish staff while the charity is being wound up.
BAAF, which has been in existence for more than three decades, appointed new CEO Caroline Selkirk earlier this year in a bid to save itself from financial problems, caused by a combination of pension liabilities, a loss of income from grants and project funding, and high infrastructure costs. However the rescue was not possible.
Several of BAAF’s services in England will now be transferred to children’s charity Coram. Ms Selkirk said: “In the face of significant changes and prevailing economic conditions, it has sadly not been possible to sustain the organisation. We appreciate that this is a very challenging time for our dedicated staff and are committed to giving them as much support as is possible during this period.”