A major adoption and fostering charity in the UK has closed down with immediate effect after citing that it suffered as a result of“significant changes and economic conditions” which made it impossible for them to keep operating.
The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), had been aiding vulnerable children for more than 30 years, but closed at the start of August and is now being run by administrators.
BAAF Closure
While other authorities in England have been transferred the issues that the BAAF deal with, in Scotland much of the work has been given to Scotland’s Adoption Register with more funding being handed to other similar organisations in Scotland in support of some of the issues that may arise.
BAAF chief executive Caroline Selkirk said in a statement: “In the face of significant changes and prevailing economic conditions, it has sadly not been possible to sustain the organisation.
“We have been working hard to ensure that many of BAAF’s vital services for vulnerable children continue. The new opportunity offered by Coram will allow the legacy of BAAF to be taken forward as part of the vision for a national centre of excellence for children.
“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.
“We are immensely grateful to all of our donors, members and partners who, for over 30 years, have enabled BAAF to provide services of the highest quality and look forward to their continued support of adoption and fostering.”
Reaction to the Closure
The move to close the BAAF comes despite the UK government pumping in at least £30 million into the adoption system. It was hoped that such an investment would speed up the process following studies that indicated the number of children being put forward for adoption has fallen by almost 50% in the last 12 months.
There has been a mixed reaction to the closure of BAAF with the British Association of Social Workers calling the closure a “regrettable loss of an independent agency”. The association’s vice chair Maggie Mellon also said that the closure posed serious questions when a highly regarded agency was deemed unsustainable at a time when the number of children being adopted is rising.
Adopting in Scotland
To adopt a child, you first must submit an application to an agency who will review and assess your claim. Many people believe that there are issues preventing them from adopting, however, if you are over 21 regardless of marital status, income and sexual orientation you may be able to adopt. Often adoption occurs through the judicial system with the natural parents of a child, or even the wishes of a child (if they are considered old enough) taken into account.
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