Charities Tact and Parents for Children to merge

Parents for Children specialises in finding adoption, fostering and short-term respite placements for children and young people with disabilities and other specialist needs. Tact provides fostering and adoption services across England, Wales and Scotland.

Kevin Williams, Tact's chief executive, said: "Parents for Children has an excellent and deserved reputation helping to find permanent families for the most vulnerable children."

Edwina Brocklesby, chief executive of Parents for Children, said: "Tact's network of area offices means local expertise and assistance will be available to help children get the best placements. It also means carers will have access to Tact's support network vital for helping children with profound needs".

In 2007, Tact merged with policy and campaigning group Children Law UK and the Independent Adoption Service making it the UK's largest charity provider of fostering and adoption services.

Paul Ennals, chief executive of the National Children's Bureau, said: "This is a time when children and family organisations need to explore innovative ways of working together. I commend the senior staff and trustees of these two organisations for taking this step."