Press releases

BAAF wins funding for innovative new internet project to find permanent families for more children in care

Issued: 12 October 2005

• Big Lottery Fund awards charity full grant of £360,452
• More than 100 children a year to be found permanent families through new website

The British Association for Adoption & Fostering has secured funding for its unique Finding Families for Children (FF4C) project.

The Big Lottery Fund has awarded the charity £360,452, which will pay for the development of the new website and support initial running costs. The website will be launched in 2007, enabling BAAF to find families for more children who might otherwise remain in the care system.

FF4C will profile children waiting to be adopted and provide straightforward information about the realities of adoption.

Felicity Collier, BAAF Chief Executive, says: "It is vitally important to use new ways to find more families for those children in public care waiting for a loving and permanent home. BAAF undertook a feasibility study last year, which demonstrated the value of using the Internet to find more families. We also consulted with Internet safety experts.

"Through our new website we estimate that more than 100 more children will be found families every year. We will also be able to reach a new audience who may never have considered adoption or fostering. BAAF has a strong track record in this area and will promote the highest possible standards. We are absolutely delighted the Big Lottery Fund has awarded us a grant for this innovative work."

Notes to Editors

For more information, contact Daisy O'Clee on 020 7593 2053 / 07767 444 589 or Lucy Handford on 020 7593 2054 or email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk / lucy.handford@baaf.org.uk.