The number of fathers looking for children given up for adoption has increased in the past decade, the New South Wales department of Community Services said yesterday.

in 1990, 49 fathers of children given up for adoption had joined the DOCS (Department of Community Services) reunion and information register - growing to 545 at the end of 1998, minister Faye Lo Po' said.

"Today, social attitudes and adoption practices have changed, alowing families a better chance of staying together," Mrs Lo Po' said.

The DOCS register helps people separated by adoption, or through the intervention of the Children's Court, to make contact with each other.

"DOCS has assisited more than 3400 people affected by adoption through their register," Mrs Lo PO' said.