New adoption agency “fantastic achievement”, says Minister

 

The Minister for Childcare and Early Years, Mark McDonald, MSP, has hailed the “fantastic achievement” behind a new Scottish adoption and fostering charity.

The Adoption and Fostering Alliance Scotland (AFA Scotland) emerged from the wreckage of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), for so long the go-to agency in its field until it collapsed and went into administration last year.

Former BAAF staff managed to shake off the shock of redundancy and, with a Scottish Government grant, worked tirelessly to set up AFA Scotland to continue vital work on behalf of children in need.

Addressing a celebration of AFA Scotland’s first anniversary, hosted by the Faculty, Mr McDonald said: “Following the closure of BAAF, it is a fantastic achievement by some of the former BAAF Scotland members to have established AFA Scotland, which provides a vital range of services to professionals involved in or interested in adoption and fostering in Scotland.

“This includes training, workshops, consultancy, case reviews and independent panel chairing. They are uniquely placed to provide these services with expertise in social work, child health and legal matters.

“Without AFA Scotland following the closure of BAAF, there would have been a large void within the sector.”

The Advocates’ Family Law Association has been a keen supporter of AFA Scotland, and its Chair, Janys Scott, QC, is Chair of the Board of Trustees of AFA Scotland.

Ravinder Kaur, of AFA Scotland, paid tribute to everyone who had helped put the charity on the map.

“I want to say huge, heartfelt thanks to all of you who helped us get this far in our story…we are truly grateful and it allows us to do this important job,” she said.