Adoption and the law

Home > Services > Social Care and Health > Children and Family Care > Adoption and Fostering

In Scotland the legal status of children prior to adoption may depend on a variety of pieces of legislation, such as,

Section 25 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995
Where we have been asked by the birth parent to place a child for adoption the child may be “looked after and accommodated” on a voluntary basis by the local authority. However it is more usual that the child may be subject to compulsory measures of care and be subject to a supervision requirement under Section 70.

Section 70 of the Children (Scotland Act) 1995
Where a child is subject to a supervision requirement made by the Children’s Panel the child will be under supervision of the local authority, and so subject to compulsory measures of care at the time the child is placed for adoption.

Adoption law in Scotland is currently governed by the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 as amended by the Children's (Scotland) Act 1995.

If you need more information please contact

email: childcare@renfrewshire.gov.uk

or telephone: 0141 842 5159

Alternatively you can call in or write to us at:

Renfrewshire Fostering and Adoption Services
Social Work, 3rd Floor
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley PA1 1TZ

Back to top