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BAAF declared preferred bidder for National Adoption Register

Issued: 11 October 04

Leading charity, the British Association for Adoption & Fostering today commented on being declared preferred bidder to run the National Adoption Register on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education and Skills.

Felicity Collier, BAAF's chief executive said:

"I am delighted that BAAF has been given the opportunity to run the National Adoption Register in England and Wales for the next three years. This Register has a vital role in helping to find families for children where a local family cannot be found for them. Our priority will be to work closely with social workers across the country to increase the number of children placed for adoption. I believe that BAAF is ideally placed, with its knowledge and experience, to take the Register into its next phase."

"BAAF already enjoys an excellent relationship with local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies across the country and also with Adoption UK, the organisation supporting adoptive families. We want to complement the excellent regional work that is already taking place by groups of agencies working together in the adoption consortia. We know how concerned social workers are about the children for whom they cannot find families. Every child has the right to a secure and loving family and we want to help make this possible."

BAAF intends to continue to use the CHARMS computer system from Computing Help Limited (CHL), to support the Register.

Jim Moores, Managing Director of CHL said: "I am very pleased to be given the opportunity by BAAF to continue to support this national initiative. We have worked very closely with Norwood over the last three years to help establish a unique, national resource that has helped to identify families for those children in greatest need of a permanent home. The next three years will be even more exciting as new ideas will be put into action."

Ends

Contact:

If you would like to interview Felicity Collier, please contact Gabriella Brooks, Media Manager, 020 7593 2053 or 07767 444 589

Notes to Editor

• The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) is the UK's leading adoption and fostering charity. For more information visit www.baaf.org.uk
• The National Adoption Register was set up in 2001 with the aim of increasing the number of children adopted each year. This national database contains the details of children needing adoption and of all approved families waiting to adopt. The database then 'matches' children with prospective families.
• Computing Help Limited (CHL) is a Manchester based software company is one the fastest growing providers of system to the Social Care Community in the UK.