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NewsCVAA Scotland launches 2026 Adoption Manifesto ahead of Scottish Parliament elections

CVAA Scotland launches 2026 Adoption Manifesto ahead of Scottish Parliament elections

CVAA Scotland – comprising Scotland’s five voluntary adoption agencies (Barnardo’s, Kibble Adoption, Scottish Adoption and Fostering, St Andrew’s Children’s Society, and St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society) – has today published its Keeping the Promise for Adopted Children: CVAA Scotland Manifesto 2026. The manifesto sets out the sector’s shared priorities for reform and modernisation of adoption in Scotland, calling on the next Scottish Government to take urgent action to improve outcomes for adopted children, young people and adults, and their families.

Drawing on evidence that adoption continues to deliver strong long‑term outcomes for children who cannot safely remain with their birth families, alongside bringing benefits to society and the wider economy, the manifesto highlights the need for a coherent national strategy, reduced delays in permanence decision‑making, and lifelong support for all who need it. It demonstrates how modernising adoption contributes directly to national ambitions highlighted in recent party manifestos, including delivering on The Promise, improving mental health provision for young people and supporting a strong economy.

The manifesto, available to read here, outlines five priority areas for action:

  1. Recognising the value of adoption
  2. Tackling delays for children awaiting permanence decisions
  3. Making high‑quality, timely support available for all
  4. Supporting adopted children’s identity needs
  5. Acknowledging the lifelong impact of trauma.

“Scotland has a proud history of championing children’s rights, but too many adopted children and adults are still being let down by a system that has not kept pace with what we now know about early trauma, identity and lifelong support. Furthermore, children waiting for an adoptive family are not all achieving adoptions in the first place due to a lack of resources, systems and accountability. This manifesto sets out a clear, evidence‑based path for the next government to modernise adoption and ensure that every child who needs it can experience safety, stability and the chance to thrive.” – Satwinder Sandhu, CEO, CVAA UK

CVAA Scotland is urging all political parties to consider these recommendations as part of their commitments to Scotland’s children and families, and to work with the voluntary sector to deliver meaningful, lasting reform.

Read the manifesto here: CVAA Scotland Manifesto 2026: Keeping the Promise for Adopted Children

 

23rd April 2026