SAAM
Universal Care
Definition
Response
This powerful response was shaped by our ambassador Sarah Louise, who led the way in making sure adult adoptee voices were heard. Her work calls for adoptees to be fully recognised in the care-experienced definition, to make the way for Adoptees to be a Protected Characteristic — not forgotten by history or law.
The Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement has been gathering momentum ever since its spark of beginning in our Founder’s lived experiencing. As Adoptees and allies have talked with one another, a grassroots campaign for Adoptee Rights has come to be birthed in the belly of Scotland.
We witnessed the exclusion of post adoption abuse within historical Adoption placements in the Scottish child abuse inquiry.
We noted the unheard voices in the Independent Care Review.
We remarked on the failure to address Adoptees in The Apology for Historical Forced Adoptions.
We are observing the sidelining of Adoptees within the Promise Scotland.
But we are saying.... NO MORE!
“Nothing About Us, Without Us”
SAAM has been busy. Our first act has been to create a body of Recommendations which offer a detailed account of the necessary steps required for Adoptees to enjoy a citizenship in which they are treated with due respect. We hope through continued engagement, SAAM can inspire positive change in regard to full honouring of Human and Children's Rights. We are growing to provide education, individual, relationship based independent advocacy, and a range of participation and connection opportunities for Adopted people across Scotland. We also study and take advice for our continued work in regards to the legal adoption process and the lifelong legal constraints and rights for all Adoptees.
Since the Scottish Apology in 2023, SAAM continue to engage with Corporate Parents and various communities to broaden understanding and challenge stigma faced by Care Experienced and Adopted People of all ages. We work with policy makers, leaders, and elected representatives, locally and nationally, to shape legislation, policy and practice. We do this collaboratively to build on the aspirations of The Promise and the UNCRC; to secure transformative change for all.
Summary
of
Consultation Response
This consultation response provides Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement the opportunity to comment on the Scottish Government’s proposals around developing a universal definition of ‘care experience’. Our response has been developed by drawing on our diverse lived experience of Care and Adoption, which is comprised of a range of care settings, ages, and backgrounds.
The Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement are calling for:
• A broad and inclusive universal definition to describe ‘Care Experience’ to create a sense of belonging among the community and support all Adoptees who want to embrace this as part of their identity, and to acknowledge those that do not.
• The definition to encapsulate the lifelong impact that being care experienced can have. It should give all Adoptees, regardless of their age or type of care experience, the option to identify with the term and access supports necessary to bring about equity and rights for all those touched by the care system.
• Care Experienced should be understood to be lifelong, as Adoption Orders do not recess “previously looked after” must be included with any future definition.
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Adoptee Rights UK
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🗣️ Support the Rights of Adoptees – Take Action Now
The Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement (SAAM) is fighting for truth, justice, and lifelong dignity for all adopted people — but we can't do it alone. If you believe every person deserves the right to know who they are, access their full legal history, and be free from lifelong legal fictions, we need your voice.
Here’s how you can support the campaign:
🔁 Share our message
🌐 Spread the word
📝 Write to your elected representatives
📣 Raise awareness
🧾 Support our demand
This is not just about the past. It’s about the legal status,
and human rights of living adults today.
📬 Contact us: scottishaam@gmail.com
📢 Use the hashtags: #AdopteeRightsUK #AdoptionReform #RightToKnow