Adoption - vision statement: priorities and plan - summary version

1. A Message from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise

My name is Natalie Don-Innes. I am the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise in the Scottish Government.

As part of my job, I make sure that our children and young people in communities across Scotland are cared for in the best way possible.

The Promise is a document that sets out Scotland’s way of making sure that all children, especially those in care, feel safe, loved, and supported. It is a promise to listen to our children and young people. The Scottish Government is committed to making sure that the Promise is kept.

As part of our work to Keep The Promise, adoption is important in helping our children to grow up loved, safe, respected, and supported to live happy and full lives. I understand that adoption is a lifelong journey, and support is needed for everyone throughout that journey. Adult adoptees need support too.

Thank you to everyone in the adoption community for sharing your stories about adoption. Better adoption support means helping families and adults with their health, education and wellbeing needs. It also means supporting children and young people to stay together and connected with people important to them. This includes with brothers and sisters.

Adoption support also means continuing to support birth families to understand what is happening and support to maintain agreed contact.

There are some challenges to overcome in order for changes to happen. These challenges include things like the amount of money available to make changes. Some changes can be made today by sharing best practice on how to best support people involved with adoption.

It is important that we all work together. We need to show our support for everyone who is part of our adoption community.

Thank you for getting involved!

Natalie