Administrators complete transfer of BAAF services

In total, 61 jobs have been saved and transferred over to successor organisations, although 73 members of BAAF staff have been made redundant.

The transfer of BAAF Scotland’s fostering and adoption support services to the newly created Adoption and Fostering Alliance Scotland (AFAS) completes the transfer of BAAF’s work.
 
Smith & Williamson, which was appointed as administrators of BAAF when it closed at the end of July, understands that some of those made redundant are working for successor organisations on a self-employed basis.

The administrators have also submitted proposals to the charity’s creditors, who are to meet on 9 October.

Matthew Dunham, Smith and Williamson partner, said that protecting “as many service lines as possible and safeguard the employment of as many staff as possible” have been priorities, along with maximising “recovery to creditors”.

He added: “I am disappointed we couldn’t save everybody’s job, but considering the situation we took over, it has worked out as best as it could have.”

In Scotland, AFAS will be responsible for training and providing expert advice to adoption and fostering professionals, and has received £75,000 in Scottish Government funding. Its creation follows the handing over of management of Scotland’s Adoption Register from BAAF to the charity St Andrew Children’s Society in July.
 
The setting up of AFAS has been widely welcomed by Scotland’s health and social care sector.

Alistair Gaw, president of Social Work Scotland and head of children’s services at Edinburgh City Council, said: “Children requiring care across the country benefitted greatly from the services of BAAF Scotland and this new development means much of that expertise will not be lost.”

Dr Susan Dewar from the Scottish Medical Adviser’s Forum added: “From the health perspective, it is essential to have access to advice, support, guidance and training that is both expert and independent in the field of adoption and fostering in Scotland.”

“Through AFAS, a dedicated service will be available in the future to support all those professionals working with and for Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people.”

The charity Coram has taken over much of the work of BAAF and formed a new entity in July called CoramBAAF Adoption and Fostering Academy. This includes research, policy, professional advice and training, as well as promotional activity such as National Adoption Week. The Adoption Register for England is being managed by First4Adoption.

The Northern Ireland adoption register, which was run by BAAF and called the Adoption Regional Information System (ARIS), is now being run directly by the Northern Ireland government’s Health and Social Care Board. Sarah Johnston, who was the register’s manager, has transferred over to the board and will continue to manage the register.

Meanwhile, the Wales Adoption Register has been taken over by The National Adoption Service for Wales, which said in a statement: “We are also delighted to have retained the experience and expertise of the BAAF staff currently operating the register who have now transferred to the National Adoption Service.”