Supporting adoption: vision and priorities - statement

1. Ministerial Foreword

I’m delighted to share with you our vision and priorities for adoption in Scotland. We have developed this statement through engagement with the adoption community about the positive role that adoption continues to play in our society today, and the need to recognise nationally that it remains a positive option for some children.

Our vision is that adoption in Scotland is open and responsive, with the wellbeing and interests of our children and young people at its heart. Whilst adoption numbers have decreased in Scotland in recent years, it continues to have a place in our society as the right and best form of permanent care for some of our children.

Adoption supports children to grow up loved, safe, and respected – all of which goes to the heart of our collective delivery of the Promise.

Our work to Keep the Promise is strongly aligned with the central mission of this Government to tackle child poverty. We know families with experience of care may also be navigating the multiple effects of poverty. That is why the Scottish Government views child poverty and Keeping The Promise as two interconnected commitments. This is about families, public and community services working together to deliver positive outcomes for our children and their families.

I’d like to personally thank the adoptive families and workforce who already dedicate so much to providing children and young people with care experience with safe, loving, stable, permanent homes. And I’d also like to acknowledge the important voices of adult adoptees, recognising that adoption is a lifelong journey. We know it is crucial that you receive the support you need, when and where you need it throughout life. And we know it is crucial that birth families receive the support they need, before, during and after a child is adopted.

This statement aims to provide a shared foundation to build on the fantastic work already underway across the country. We have heard how valuable adoption can be for children, young people, families and wider society. We have also heard how challenging it can feel for adoptive families and adult adoptees, to access the lifelong, trauma informed and responsive support that is needed to thrive.

We hope that those of you who shared your experiences will see your voices reflected in this statement and, in particular, the strategic priorities which are focused on practically and proactively addressing the challenges that you have spoken to us about. These priorities include a focus on the consistency and availability of post-adoption support, as well as supporting and nurturing relationships which are important for all our children and young people to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Looking ahead, we are determined to keep driving forward the changes required, as we work collectively to Keep the Promise by 2030. And we are committed to improving the support we give to all caregivers, including adoptive families, so they are even better equipped to love and nurture our children.

Our Keeping The Promise Implementation Plan Update, published in September 2024, sets out our approach to creating the right scaffolding to achieve this in communities across Scotland. And all of our work to support children, young people and families is underpinned by our approach to Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 which protects and upholds children’s rights.

As we plan our next steps, I am acutely aware that there are many challenges to overcome, including increasing pressures on public spending, workforce recruitment, retention and capacity. We also need to ensure that there is clear co-ordination and sequencing of the transformational change that is required to support our collective endeavours to Keep The Promise by 2030.

That is why it is so important that we continue to work together to ensure effective and deliverable support is put in place for those impacted by adoption. This vision, and continued engagement with all those involved in adoption, will guide us as we move forward – helping us to order and prioritise the work. We really welcome and encourage collective engagement on this journey.

Natalie Don-Innes MSP

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise