Children Moving Between UK Nations

Abstract

This report explores the rising number of children placed for adoption from elsewhere in the UK with families in Scotland, examining the implications for practice, policy, and long-term support. Drawing on survey data from all 32 Scottish local authorities and four voluntary adoption agencies, alongside interviews with practitioners and adoptive parents, the report identifies persistent challenges around matching, legal processes, access to support, and the impact of geographical distance. While cross-border placements are often framed as securing the ‘right match’, this focus can obscure the structural and systemic issues shaping the context in which decisions are made. Findings highlight inconsistent data recording, variable use of Scotland’s Adoption Register, and a lack of shared understanding around roles and responsibilities across jurisdictions. Distance was often experienced as a practical barrier, but was also described by some adoptive parents as offering reassurance through reduced proximity to birth families, highlighting tensions between safety, support, and sustaining meaningful relationships. The report calls for more robust national data, consistent post-adoption support across the UK, and clearer guidance for practitioners involved in cross-border matches. Without this, responsibility for children’s long-term wellbeing risks falling between systems. In conclusion, it urges greater attention to the realities of practice and the need for coordinated, child-centred responses to interjurisdictional adoption.