Number of ‘forced adoptions’ by social services doubles in three years

THE number of Scottish parents having children taken away and put up for adoption has rocketed in the last three years.

Cases where social services have stepped in and forced adoption have almost doubled to 203 – and record numbers of kids have been taken into care.

Figures obtained from councils under Freedom of Information laws reveal that two-thirds were babies and toddlers under five.

Three years ago, there were just 119 adoptions with less than half involving very young children.

Sociologist Patricia Morgan said: “Too many children go back and forward to abusive parents. It would be better if most were placed with adoptive parents.”

Lib Dem MP John Hemming argued: “What could be more traumatic than for a mother to have a baby taken away?

“That, in itself, can cause mental health problems.”