Adoption milestone as 600 Scots children find a new home

A major adoption milestone has been reached in Scotland after the country’s 600th child in nine years found new parents.

The total since 2011 represents an average of more than one a week, with the Scottish Government crediting its online database – the Adoption Register – for the progress.

The register matches children with prospective adopters, acting as a central point for local authorities, and makes sure prospective parents go through a robust and supportive process.

A website from Adoption UK Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government, has also been launched to offer advice and guidance for current and prospective adoptive parents.

Maree Todd, minister for children and young people, said: “We know that adoption has the potential to completely change the direction of a child or young person’s life by providing them with a loving, supportive and permanent home and family.

“Reaching this milestone means that there are 600 fewer children in care, having been placed with families who offer the most supportive and stable home they possibly can.”

‘Before we knew it we had our boys home’

Parents Stevan and Denis, who have been through the adoption process, started their journey five years ago.

Here’s their story:

“We went through the numerous stages of the process: preparation group, home study and then onto our approval panel. After approval, the family finding started.

“Using a portal such as Scotland’s Adoption Register was at times tough due to the huge amount of children that are profiled but it did lead to us finding our two little boys and we fell in love at the first glance of their profile.

“The next step was meeting our sons, which was a huge bag of mixed emotions. The first day of introductions with the boys went amazingly well, we only got to spend a few hours with them but being called Dad and Daddy for the first time brought tears to our eyes.

“The remaining days of introductions flew by and before we knew it we had our boys home and family life began.

“After a while parenthood started to become more natural to us and routines were put in place which quickly helped the boys thrive and we haven’t looked back since.

“Every day we count our blessings to have two gorgeous, happy boys. Adoption was everything we could have of hoped for and more. Even through the tears, tantrums and sibling squabbles, we wouldn’t change it for the world.”