Fife man’s bid to be legally adopted by his stepfather is denied

law: Campaigner calls for changes to adoption rules

A man who wants to be adopted by his stepfather has had his hopes quashed by a “not interested” government.

Nathan Sparling, 27, is campaigning to reform family law to allow parents to adopt adults – a move currently prohibited under Scots Law.

He believes his stepfather, Brian Sparling, 44, who has been involved in his upbringing since he was 13, should be allowed to become his adoptive father.

Nathan – who did not know his biological father and has changed his surname to that of his stepfather – says he will “never call another man dad”.

The Scottish Government had said it would review adoption procedures, but now says that it has no plans to extend the age of adoption of a child beyond 18.

Nathan, from Dunfermline, said that the response from the Government was “disappointing”.

The head of policy and campaigning at HIV Scotland said he doesn’t have his father’s name on his birth certificate and wants Brian to be seen as his dad in the eyes of the law.

He said: “I think the Government could have had a more listening ear approach to this. We need them to want to change the law.

“Stepchildren want that symbol of belonging to their family to be legally recognised.”

Nathan said since calling for adoption rights to be extended to over-18s he has had numerous messages of support for people in similar situations.

He is calling for changes to the Adoption And Children (Scotland) Act of 2007 and said he had drawn support from across the UK and internationally.

Many other countries already allow someone who has fulfilled the role of parent to adopt their child after they become 18, including America, Japan and Germany.

Responding to a question lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale, childcare minister Maree Todd said that current legislation was designed to protect and safeguard children and provide family stability.

She said: “We are constantly improving the procedures, services and support around adoption and permanence for children to ensure Scotland has a modern, responsive and child-centred adoption system.

“There are no plans currently to extend the age of a child beyond 18 for this purpose.”

She said there was already other legislation “to allow for individuals to change their names on birth certificates and for adults to make provision in wills for the sharing of property to nonbiological members of their family”.

Stepchildren want that symbol of belonging to their family to be legally recognised. NATHAN SPARLING