Adoption UK today publishes The Adoption Barometer revealing that adopted children in Scotland are more than twice as likely not to be in employment, education or training (NEET) as their peers; 31% of them have had contact with the criminal justice system and 41% have needed help from mental health services.
Three quarters of adopted children have suffered significant violence, abuse or neglect in their birth families, with a lasting impact that extends into early childhood and affects life chances, placing huge emotional and often financial strain on adoptive families. There are at least 55,000 adoptive families in the UK.
The Adoption Barometer reveals that while advances have been made in recruitment and preparation of adopters, government policies are still not addressing the heart of the challenges faced by adoptive families, and especially families with older children.
Adoption UK surveyed around 3,500 families across the UK, [Scotland: 330], asking them to reflect on their experiences during 2018. The charity also assessed national policy relating to adoptive families at various stages of their adoption journey.
The report reveals that 85% of families in Scotland would encourage others to adopt, despite 62% facing a continual struggle for support.
Fiona Aitken, Director of Adoption UK in Scotland, said: “There is a clear message here from Scottish adoptive families that they are optimistic about the outcomes of their children, despite the lack of consistent adoption support offered across Scotland.
“We know there are areas where families receive the help they are asking for, and we are striving to ensure that more families can access these. Adoption is not always a straightforward happy ending for children – we need to acknowledge that many children will require help to thrive within their families because of their early experiences.”
All four nations score ‘poor’ in at least one area of policy, with every nation having further to go to meet the policy needs of adoptive families. Scotland scores reflect poorly across the board due to lack of national consistency, in particular in relation to adoption support.
Policy relating to finding families for children scores best across the board. Policy relating to the education of adopted children scores worst. Adopters’ experiences in Wales scored best, and were at similar levels in the other three nations.
Other key themes to emerge from The Adoption Barometer include: high levels of child-to-parent violence, ill-planned and badly-supported contact arrangements with birth families; high rates of health problems including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and mental ill health; and large numbers of families resorting to home education because the formal school system is letting their children down.
Adoption UK is calling for a radical new deal for adoptive families, which provides the support they need to help re-write their children’s futures. This includes detailed therapeutic assessments for every child before they arrive in their new family, with accompanying fully-costed support plans, to be maintained and reviewed into early adulthood. In Scotland AUK is recommending ring-fenced adoption support.
Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “We welcome the finding that 85% of families in Scotland who have gone through the adoption process would encourage others to do the same.
“We know that adoption is making a positive difference, but we also know that there is more to do. The Independent Care Review will be key in deciding the next steps in looking at the legislation, practices, culture and ethos of the system for care experienced children.
“I am grateful to Adoption UK Scotland for highlighting these important issues and look forward to working together to ensure that all our adopted young people have the opportunity to fulfil their full potential.”
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