Adoption Register transfers as BAAF enters administration

St Andrew’s Children’s Society has been appointed to run Scotland’s Adoption Register following the closure of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), the Scottish Government has announced.

BAAF entered administration on Friday, putting an end to some of its services across the UK including activities in Scotland. It had operated the register – a database to match children and young people with adoptive families, used by all Scottish councils – on behalf of the Scottish Government.

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 and the thousands of people who work tirelessly to give vulnerable children and young people a permanent, stable and loving home. 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 with immediate effect.

“The Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 will bring the register onto a statutory footing during 2016 and will ensure every child and available family is referred in a timely way, maximising the chance of an early match. 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 wellbeing of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people.

“We will continue to work with BAAF’s administrators, our partners in local authorities, charities and all who work with adoptive families to find sustainable solutions to this unexpected situation. And, importantly, to ensure that they continue to have the support they need to give children security and bring families together.”

Stephen Small, St Andrew’s director, added: “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 to the operation of the register as possible at this difficult time. The Register is a valuable way of helping children, who cannot remain with their birth families, to find new families through adoption.”

St Andrew’s will also launch a new adoption advice line for Scotland in the coming weeks to complement the work of the register. The Scottish Government has provided funding for the register and the helpline until March 2017 to ensure stability during the period when the register becomes a statutory function.

As part of the transfer, Scotland’s Adoption Information Line will open weekdays between 10am and 4pm to ensure support is available to anyone wanting to inquire about adoption in Scotland or the impact of the closure of BAAF Scotland.