Disability puts off some adopters

Published on Sunday 8 November 2009 21:40

ONE in four people in Scotland say they would be unwilling to consider adoption if the child suffered from any disabilities.

However, the 26 per cent of Scots unwilling compared positively with the figure for the UK as a whole, at 38 per cent.

More than a third of people in Scotland would not consider adopting or fostering a child whose development could be affected by the mother's misuse of drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy.

And 39 per cent of those questioned in Scotland said they would prefer to adopt a single child rather than a sibling from a group, against 42 per cent for the UK as a whole.

The survey, which was conducted by ICM Research, was commissioned by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) to mark National Adoption week.

Barbara Hudson, director of BAAF Scotland, said there was an "urgent need" for adults to adopt children waiting the longest for a home.

She said: "Our research shows that 45 per cent of Scottish people would prefer to adopt a baby. This National Adoption Week we are asking the public to keep an open mind, and see the individual child. The reality is that although there are babies and very young children who need adopting, many will face considerable challenges.

"Also, while our research shows that people in Scotland say they would be more prepared to adopt a disabled child or a sibling group than the overall UK population, we know that in reality these are among the children waiting the longest for new families.

"We know from existing adoptive families that it can be hard work, but the rewards are huge. This is a chance to transform a child's life forever."