This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Adoption applications in Scotland
10/03/1999
The number of adoption applications in Scotland has decreased over the last ten years. There were under 500 adoption applications during the year to December 31, 1998 compared to over 800 in the year to December 1988.
The details are contained in a publication Information on adoption applications and freeing orders published today by The Scottish Office.
The information covers the years 1996, 1997 and 1998. The main points are:
* In the year to December 1998 there were 469 adoption applications and 89 freeing applications.
* The average age of children for whom adoption applications were made was just under seven years. Five per cent of the applications were made for children who were under one year old.
* In most years around half of the adoption applications are by a birth parent and a step parent of the child.
BACKGROUND
1. There is no bulletin publication for these figures.
2. Information note on adoption applications and freeing orders.
News Release: 0569/99
10 March 1999