Press releases

Minister joins BAAF to celebrate success of unique adoption search and reunion website

Issued: 22 May 2006

Politicians and celebrities are to attend the official launch of a unique new information and resources website for adopted adults, birth relatives and adoptive parents.

Parmjit Dhanda, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for family policy, young people, safeguarding children, will hand ownership of the website from the DfES to BAAF at a parliamentary reception on Monday May 22nd at the House of Commons. He will be joined by presenter Nicky Campbell and actress Nimmy March, who will talk about their personal experiences of searching for birth family members.

The website, which will help adopted people and birth relatives who want to know more about the adoption search and reunion process, was completed this month and is already attracting around 400 visitors a day. It provides information about new adoption legislation, and in particular about the intermediary services that are now available to adopted people and birth relatives. It includes a directory of agencies offering support, counselling and intermediary services, and an online database that helps people find out where adoption records are held. The website also provides materials for professionals providing services, support and information to adopted people and their birth and adoptive relatives.

Parmjit Dhanda says: "I’d like to congratulate BAAF and those who worked to create this excellent website on their achievement.  Opening up adoption in this way will, I’m sure, have an enormous impact on many people’s lives for years to come." 

Julia Feast, BAAF Policy, Research & Development Consultant, says: “Until now it has often been difficult for people to know where to start to obtain more information about their background.  This fantastic new resource will help so many adopted people and birth relatives who are trying to find out more information about adoption, search and reunion.  Studies have shown that access to information about their origins is enormously helpful to adopted people. This unique website, developed by BAAF, will give people lots of information, including their legal rights, and will help people find the services and support they need.”

Notes

The website can be found at: www.adoptionsearchreunion.co.uk

BAAF received funding to develop the the Adoption Search and Reunion website as part of the Intermediary Services Support Project.

BAAF developed the website in partnership with Parity www.parity.net/solutions

For more information, contact Daisy O´Clee on 020 7421 2632/3 or email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk. For out of hours enquiries, call the press office mobile on 07767 444 589.