Fall in number of adoptions in Scotland

Adoptions in Scotland have decreased according to the latest
statistical report from the Scottish executive.

The report, Adoption Applications in Scotland – 2000,
reveals that there were 400 adoption applications in 2000 down 50
or just over 10 per cent on the previous year. An increased number
of almost half of all applicants were seeking to adopt a child
under five years of age, while the average age of a child adopted
was six-and-a-half years.

Jack McConnell, education minister, called for a national
strategy to reverse the decline in adoptions.