News

The rate of approval of adoptions has increased in Scotland for the first time since 1998, according to Scottish executive statistics.

The adoption rate for 2001 was 4 per cent up on the previous year with only four out of the 418 applications failing to gain legal approval. Some 99 per cent of all applications were successful in 2001 compared with 95.5 per cent in 2000. The total of adoption applications also increased by 13 or 3 per cent over the same period.

Cathy Jamieson, minister for education and young people, welcomed the improved figures and said: "I hope it will encourage more prospective adopters to come forward."

The time taken for approval has also become shorter. Between 1997 and 2001 the number of applications being decided in less than 60 days rose from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

Jamieson said: "Our review of adoption policy has examined how to modernise the system in Scotland to attract more adopters and to provide permanent, stable homes for children in care." The first phase of the review is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

www.scotland.gov.uk