BAAF in Northern Ireland
Welcome to the Northern Ireland page from Director Priscilla McLoughlin
Northern Ireland team:
- Priscilla McLoughlin - Director
- Catherine Mullin - Trainer Consultant
- Sarah Johnston - ARIS Child Placement Consultant
- Kate McAtackney - ARIS Administrator
- Barbara Smith - Regional Administrator
BAAF’s office is based in Belfast, we offer a regional programme of conferences, seminars and workshops of interest to all those working with and caring for children looked after away from home/adopted/separated from their birth family.
BAAF Northern Ireland also runs the Adoption Regional Information System for Northern Ireland (ARIS), a database linking children with prospective adoptive families. This service is provided by BAAF on behalf of the Health and Social Care Board. Visit the website www.ni-aris.org.uk. BAAF is registered as a Voluntary Adoption Agency with RQIA. View our statement of purpose PDF
Areas we cover
We cover the whole of Northern Ireland and also deal with enquiries from the Republic of Ireland.
How we can help
- Advice for members of the public and for professionals -on all aspects of adoption, fostering and planning for children.
- Consultancy services offering in depth help on individual complex cases, service reviews and team development.
- Training on a wide range of subjects for social workers, foster carers, adoptive parents, residential workers and other professionals.
News
Launch of the Care Pathways and Outcomes Study book
BAAF NI is delighted to invite you to the launch of the Care Pathways and Outcomes Study book. The study started in 2000 and has followed the progress of a population of children, initially aged 5 years and under, in the Looked After system. The event will take place on Wednesday 11th September 2013.
Find out more including how you can attend here
BAAF NI's response to the latest adoption figures
BAAF NI welcomes the increase in the number of children adopted from care in NI during 2011/12. We are deeply concerned, however, at the length of time taken to achieve adoption for many of these children, on average, 3 years and 5 months since their last entry to the care system. Read the full press release here
Eligibility to Apply to Adopt in NI
The Department of Heath Social Services and Public Safety for NI announced on 21st December its intention to appeal the judgement of recent Judicial Review on adoption eligibility criteria. The appeal, which was lodged in court on 11 December, means existing eligibility criteria remains enabling only married or single people to apply to adopt in NI.
Contact details
BAAF Northern Ireland
Botanic House
1-5 Botanic Avenue
Belfast
BT7 1JG
Tel: 028 9031 5494
Fax: 028 9031 4516
email: northernireland@baaf.org.uk
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
View Belfast office in a larger map
Forthcoming events
Regional Adoption Policies and Procedures
All adoption agencies in Northern Ireland are required to adhere to these policies and procedure which were introduced in 2006 and reviewed in 2010. Download or open the PDF
