Education Committee's Stage 1 report recommends the Adoption Bill, 28/06/06 [S]

The Scottish Parliament Education Committee has recommended that the Scottish Parliament approves the general principles of the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill. However, the Committee does recommend minimum standards and guidance relating to the delivery of adoption support services. In relation to the fostering strategy, it also asks the Scottish Executive whether some issues may in fact require primary legislation.

Main themes

Adoption services

The Committee believes that adoption support services should be seen holistically and it asks why the Scottish Executive has distinguished pre-adoption, adoption support and post-adoption support services. It also asks why the Scottish Executive has placed a limit of three years on the provision of post-adoption services.

In relation to the delivery of adoption services by local authorities, the Committee recommends minimum standards and guidance.

Permanence orders

The Committee supports the introduction of permanence orders, but thinks that the grounds for making a permanence order are not clear. With regards to the interaction between these orders, the adoption system generally and the Children's Hearing system, the Committee believes that there is a need for guidance.

Fostering

In relation to a National Fostering Strategy, which the Committee would welcome, the report asks the Scottish Executive to look at whether the issues which arose during evidence can or should be addressed through regulation and do not need primary legislation.

The Committee recommends the introduction of a fairer system of national fostering allowances.

Kinship care

The Committee asks the Scottish Executive to consider family group conferencing as one approach to ensure greater family involvement of the extended family.

The Committee also asks whether an amendment should be placed which would specify that adoption agencies must demonstrate that they have considered whether the extended family can, with adequate support, provide appropriate care or a child.

Unmarried couples

With regards to allowing unmarried couples to adopt, the Committee supports the Scottish Executive's approach provided that the same rigorous assessment procedures are adhered to in all cases.


For more details see the Scottish Parliament Education Committee page of the Parliament website where you will find a copy of the report.

Further information

Scottish Parliament Education Committee
Scottish Parliament Education Committee Stage 1 Report on the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill

Home     More Articles