Charity welcomes call for‘radical overhaul’of care system
An adoption charity has welcomed a review calling for a “radical overhaul” of Scotland’s care system.
The Independent Care Review report aims to deliver lasting change in Scotland’s care system and leave a legacy which will transform the wellbeing of infants, children and young people.
Adoption UK believes it places great importance on the need to ensure that all decisions around care and permanency are based upon what is best for each individual child – with their voice at the heart of the system.
The charity is particularly pleased by the report’s recognition of the vital role that adoptive parents play in transforming the lives of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children.
It reads: “Adoptive families must be given the support and attention required to love and care for their children, particularly where the ongoing impact of trauma and broken attachment is felt by the child and the family.”
Reassuringly, the report goes on to conclude that timely and relevant post adoption support is a vital tool in ensuring adoptive families stay together.
The report also highlights the need for mental health services to be available for all families, and for these services to be able to respond to the specific needs of care experienced children.
And it calls for intensive family support to be available for all families in Scotland, where needed, and for this to be available for adoptive families.
The report acknowledges the change in adoption over the last 50 years, and heard stories of positive adoption experiences, along with the pain of breakdown, emphasising the need to avoid this, and support those affected by adoption disruption.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an “independent, root and branch review” of the care system – to look at the underpinning legislation, practices, culture and ethos – after she met a group of children and young people in care, in October 2016.
Fiona Aitken at Adoption UK said: “We are really keen to observe and be part of the next steps in implementing these changes to improve experiences for adopted children and their families.”