Press releases

New adoption and fostering film calls on carers to come forward

Issued: 6 November 2006

A new CD-ROM aimed at potential adopters and foster carers across the north east of Scotland is being launched today at start of National Adoption Week.

The CD-ROM has been produced by local authorities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee, Fife, Highland, Moray and Perth and Kinross, with the help of the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF). The film, made by Heehaw productions Ltd, features the stories of three families with adopted groups of brothers and sisters talking frankly about the changes in their lives, with comments from the children about what it means to have a family and to be able to stay together with their brothers or sisters.

The production is also designed to provide easy access to information, in the form of questions and answers, for families who want to know more about adoption and fostering.

Barbara Hudson, Director of BAAF Scotland, says: “Many children in care waiting for new loving families have brothers and sisters. This is often the only bond they have left as they seek a new home. Sadly, sometimes they cannot stay together because of a shortage of carers who can look after more than one child. This film gives people easy access to information and will help them make informed choices. We hope it will encourage more people to think about adoption and fostering.”

Copies of the CD rom, and advice about adoption and fostering, are available from local authority social services departments.

National Adoption Week is a UK-wide campaign that aims to help find permanent and loving homes for children waiting in care. There are up to 400 children needing adoption across Scotland every year.

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Notes to Editor

1. For more information about National Adoption Week, please visit www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

2. For more information about BAAF please call Daisy O’Clee on 020 7421 2632 / daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk or Lucy Handford on 020 7421 2633 / lucy.handlord@baaf.org.uk