Press releases
BAAF launches manifesto for children in care
Issued: 24 March 2005
This press release applies to the UK
The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) has today challenged the leading political parties to prove their commitment to children in public care in the forthcoming general election. BAAF is asking for the parties to include eight key policy commitments in their manifestos to help secure a safe and healthy future for the most vulnerable of children in society.
The eight policies are launched today. MPs will be asked to support the calls and, after the general election is called, voters will be asked to quiz their local candidates on their support for the eight calls. The manifesto asks all potential MPs to campaign for:
- Significant investment in the foster care service - treating foster carers as professionals who are doing an outstanding job for children.
- Raising expectations for children in public care by supporting them in foster care until they are 21.
- Investment in adoption support so that priority can be given to adopters and children to give them the best possible chance.
- Funding for kinship care so that grandparents can afford to care for their grandchildren.
- 'A Surer Start' for infants in the care system - giving them a secure family life from the very beginning of their lives.
- Full registration of private fostering - introducing an approval process to safeguard children.
- A better deal for the health and well being of children separated from their birth families.
- Recruitment of adopters - finance should not stand in the way of every child being matched with the most appropriate adoptive family.
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Felicity Collier, BAAF chief executive, said "Today we are spelling out what the political parties must do to show they really are committed to supporting and protecting children who cannot live permanently with their birth families.
"We ask all the main political parties to incorporate our eight key calls into their own manifestos.
"We are speaking out on behalf of the 78,500 disenfranchised children in public care who deserve a better deal. The legacy of wasted potential for our society is appalling. Society has to do better by these children. We ask all voters to question their local candidates on their support for our key calls and to use their vote to secure secure a safe and healthy future for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens."
Ends
Contact:
For members of the press:
If you need more information or would like to arrange an interview about child care issues members of the press can call our media team on 020 7593 2054.
If you have an urgent out of hours press enquiry, please contact the press office on 07767 444 589
Notes to Editor
- The British Association for Adoption & Fostering is the UK's leading adoption and fostering charity. For more information about adoption, please contact 020 7593 2000 or visit www.baaf.org.uk
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