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Vulnerable children in Northern Ireland to benefit from partnership between BAAF and childcare agencies
Issued: 21 June 2006
This press release applies to Northern Ireland
The British Association for Adoption & Fostering today celebrates the opening of new offices in Belfast aimed at supporting childcare agencies to improve adoption and fostering practice across Northern Ireland.
The leading UK-wide adoption and fostering charity will work in partnership with the community to develop services for the 2,500 looked after children in Northern Ireland and all children separated from their birth families.
David Holmes, BAAF Chief Executive, says: “BAAF has worked in Northern Ireland for some time and we are delighted to strengthen our presence here, enabling us to offer greater access to our resources and to influence policy and practice.
“This is crucial at a time when, across the UK, children are entering care principally as a result of abuse, neglect or family dysfunction. Their needs are diverse and increasingly complex. We must make sure we have superb quality services for these children, including the best quality care planning, social workers, foster carers and adoptive parents.”
Frances Nicholson, Director of BAAF Northern Ireland, says: “It is a time of change and a great moment for us to be opening an office here – there is a lot to be done and we are ready for the challenge. Northern Ireland needs an improved regional focus for its adoption services, and BAAF is keen to contribute to any consultation about the DHSSPS adoption strategy. Developments in adoption and plans to progress fostering services in Northern Ireland will be top of BAAF’s agenda.”
She adds: “I am personally delighted to have been appointed as the new Director of BAAF Northern Ireland and am looking forward to working with the whole community to improve the lives of vulnerable children.”
Opening the new BAAF offices, Mr Paul Martin, Chief Inspector for Social Services, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety said: “I am delighted to welcome BAAF to Northern Ireland at what is an important time for both adoption and foster care. I am confident that BAAF will complement and bolster the invaluable work of the other voluntary organisations in these areas.”
Ends
Notes to Editor
For more information about the launch event, please contact the BAAF press office
For more information, contact Daisy O´Clee on 020 7421 2632/3 or email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk or email lucy.handford@baaf.org.uk. For out of hours enquiries, call the press office mobile on 07767 444 589.
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