KEEPING THE PROMISE FOR ADOPTED CHILDREN
TThe Independent Care Review set out a vision where every child grows up loved, safe and respected. For adopted children and families, keeping The Promise means recognising that adoption is lifelong and that support must continue long after an adoption order is granted.
Relationships matter most. Trauma-informed practice, early intervention and lifelong support are central to helping adopted people thrive throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
WHAT WAS THE INDEPENDENT CARE REVIEW?
The Independent Care Review brought together more than 5,500 voices from across Scotland to reimagine how the country cares for children and young people. Its conclusions, published as The Promise in 2020, continue to shape policy and practice today.
The Review Is Announced
The First Minister announced an independent review of Scotland’s care system, recognising that many children and families were being failed by existing structures.
Listening To 5,500 Voices
More than 5,500 care experienced children, young people, adults, families and professionals contributed to the most extensive review of its kind ever undertaken in Scotland.
The Promise Is Published
In February 2020, The Promise set out a vision that by 2030 every child in Scotland would grow up loved, safe and respected, with relationships placed at the centre of care.
Plan 21–24 Is Launched
The first national delivery plan outlined practical steps to transform systems, services and support to help Scotland keep The Promise.
A National Commitment
Scotland has committed to ensuring that by 2030 every care experienced child and young person grows up in a system built around love, relationships and lifelong support.
“Scotland must do all it can to ensure children grow up loved, safe and respected.”THE PROMISE, 2020
DO ADOPTED CHILDREN COUNT AS CARE EXPERIENCED?
Adopted children often enter adoption after early experiences of loss, trauma, neglect or separation. Recognition matters — but recognition must lead to practical support.
The Principle
Many adopted children have lived experience of care before adoption. Their legal status may change when an adoption order is granted, but their early experiences and support needs do not simply disappear.
Keeping The Promise for adopted children means recognising that adoption is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a lifelong family relationship that may need specialist, trauma-informed support.
- Adoption should provide permanence, belonging and security.
- Support should follow the child, not disappear after legal permanence.
- Families should not have to reach crisis before help becomes available.
The Reality
Adoptive families continue to report gaps between national ambition and local delivery. Recognition alone is not enough if families cannot access the right help at the right time.
Across Scotland, families describe inconsistent support, long waits, unclear pathways and services that do not always understand adoption, trauma or the needs of young people as they move into adolescence and adulthood.
- No consistent national therapeutic support fund for adoptive families.
- Limited crisis intervention and respite pathways.
- Patchy local authority provision after the adoption order.
The key question is not only whether adopted children are recognised as care experienced. The key question is whether that recognition results in lifelong, practical and properly funded support.
WHAT ADOPTIVE FAMILIES SAY IS STILL MISSING
Despite progress in policy and legislation, families across Scotland consistently identify gaps in support that continue long after an adoption order is granted.
Lifelong Therapeutic Support
Access to trauma-informed therapy should not depend on geography, crisis or the age of a child. Adoption is lifelong, and support should be too.
Crisis Intervention Pathways
Families often struggle to identify where to turn during periods of escalating risk, violence or breakdown, leading to avoidable crises.
Respite Provision
Planned respite and family support remain inconsistent across Scotland despite being recognised as vital in preventing placement instability.
CAMHS & Mental Health Access
Many adopted children face long waits for specialist mental health services, particularly where developmental trauma is involved.
Financial Parity
National investment has strengthened support for foster and kinship care, but equivalent long-term support arrangements for adoption remain absent.
Support Into Adulthood
Identity, relationships and trauma do not stop at eighteen. Young adults and adoptees need pathways that recognise lifelong experiences.
DELIVERING THE PROMISE THROUGH ADOPTION REFORM
The Promise provides Scotland with a vision. The Government Commitments, Adoption Task Force and growing evidence base provide a pathway for delivery. Together, they offer an opportunity to create lifelong support for adopted people and their families.
Government Commitments
Seven commitments have been made to improve adoption support, guidance, training and services across Scotland.
Adoption Task Force
The Scottish Adoption Task Force brings together lived experience, practitioners and policymakers to shape future reform.
Lifelong Support
Delivering The Promise means recognising that adoption does not end with permanence—it requires support throughout life.
Keeping The Promise for adopted children means ensuring that support is available before crisis, during challenge and throughout adulthood.
The evidence exists. The commitments have been made. The opportunity now is to deliver a system that truly reflects the lifelong nature of adoption.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Promise, Independent Care Review, 2020.
- Plan 21–24, The Promise Scotland.
- Independent Care Review evidence and conclusions.
- Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) legislation and Scottish Government publications.
- Adoption UK Barometer Scotland.
- Scottish Government adoption support guidance and policy publications.
- Scottish Adoption Task Force and related reform work.
Together We Can Change 1000’s of Lives