Question reference: S5W-09897
- Asked by: Adam Tomkins, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 22 June 2017
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Current status: Answered by Mark McDonald on 7 July 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the Adoption Register has had on the number of children placed in adoption, and how the initiative is being evaluated.
Answer
Through the Children and Young People Act 2014, the Scottish Government has placed Scotland’s Adoption Register on a statutory footing. The Register provides opportunities for children to be matched with families across Scotland, if they cannot be matched locally.
Since its establishment in 2011, the Adoption Register has facilitated 363 matches with adoptive families. Adoptions of looked after children have reached their highest level ever in 2016.
We believe that by requiring all local authorities to use the Register, we will further reduce the delays in children being matched with adoptive families, and finding permanent homes. As of March 2017, 26 local authorities are making active use of the register.
The Adoption Register has successfully moved onto an online system run in collaboration with Link Maker. The online system went live on 11 November 2016.
Evaluation of the Scottish Adoption Register and the surrounding activities is reported on in quarterly reports submitted to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Adoption Register Steering Group.