In the coming months, new laws will come into force in Scotland that will allow same-sex couples to adopt and will force council officials to give priority to the stability of adoption rather than the instability of foster care.
The provisions contained in the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007, which come into force this September 2009, will allow same-sex couples to apply for adoption as a couple for the first time. Until now, only one of the two partners was allowed to request adoption.
Municipalities will also be required to conduct a review to ensure stability for foster children, and the possibility of placing children with extended family members or friends of the biological parents has also been explored.
These changes were welcomed by Sara Lurie, of the Foster Care Network in Scotland (Fostering Network's Scotland), who stated: "We welcome the opportunity this law presents to give foster children more security as they grow up. We also welcome the positive changes that broaden the range of people who can adopt or take foster children. This is a recognition that there"there are not enough adoptive and (foster?) parents in Scotland.
Source
Children and Young People Now, 04/23/09
www.cypnow.co.uk/bulletins/Daily-Bulletin/news/900831/?DCMP=EMC-DailyBulletin
Translation by Alessandro Valera