 At the moment, only one member of an unmarried couple can adopt |
Plans to overhaul Scotland's adoption system will put the needs of children first, according to ministers. The Adoption (Scotland) Bill would allow unmarried and same-sex couples to adopt together for the first time.
At the moment, only one member of an unmarried couple can adopt, while the other has separate rights to live in the same house as the child.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said the reforms would enable more children to realise their full potential.
The number of children being adopted each year has fallen by more than half over the last 20 years.
The Catholic Church in Scotland said the proposals undermine marriage.
It also warned that youngsters would be guinea pigs in a "distorted social experiment".
However, the Church of Scotland, while supporting marriage, said the needs of troubled youngsters must come first.
The bill, which was published on Tuesday, will modernise court procedure, introduce new permanence orders - midway between fostering and adoption - and boost support for families, including grandparents.
Mr Peacock said the number of adoptions was falling while the number of children in "seriously chaotic households" was on the increase.
"We have to secure more opportunities for youngsters to enjoy the family stability which can make all the difference to their potential," he said.
Selection process
"Too many children are limited in their chance to realise their full potential because of tragedy in their lives or because of their parents' chaotic lifestyles or poor parenting skills.
"Too many of our young people find themselves shuttling between home, foster care and residential accommodation, without any of the family stability most young people enjoy. Our proposals are designed to put the interests of the child first."
He stressed that there would be a tough selection process for choosing those able to adopt.
"Only those couples who can demonstrate they are in an enduring family relationship and can make a positive difference to a child's life will be successful," he said.
"For youngsters for whom adoption is not the best option, we're also introducing new permanence orders which will provide children with the same level of family stability that most already take for granted."
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Too many of our young people find themselves shuttling between home, foster care and residential accommodation, without any of the family stability most young people enjoy
