TAKE a moment to consider an idea that could transform the lives of you and your family, and those of arguably the most vulnerable individuals in society.

It’s about opening your home to a young person, who by a twist of fate hasn’t got one of their own, and who desperately needs looking after. Of course, I’m talking about adopting

a child.

Today across the country, there are around 15,000 “looked-after children”, many of whom are waiting to be matched with prospective adopters.

We reached a huge milestone in that task earlier this month, when we saw the 600th young person matched by Scotland’s Adoption Register with prospective adopters.

Many reading this now may already be thinking, “I don’t think I’d qualify to adopt”. So right away, let me be clear – this wonderful opportunity is available to anyone, single or married, in a relationship or not, straight or gay, if you already have children already, or if you have a disability.

All prospective adopters, quite rightly, do have to go through a rigorous assessment, which can take time. After all, we need to make sure that the assessment is both robust and timely, so children are placed in the security of their adoptive families, without delay. And so to help everyone understand what’s involved, we are celebrating our fourth Adoption Week Scotland.

This year’s programme provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the difference adoption is making to families across the country – it has a great mix of events for families, practitioners and young people, so we can share our experiences and learn from one another.

Facilitated by leading agencies Adoption UK Scotland (AUKS) and the Adoption Fostering Alliance Scotland (AFAS), our goals are simple: to boost the number of children being given the loving and permanent home they are entitled to; highlight the transformative effects that adoption can have on all involved; remove the misconceptions that still exist about who can and who cannot adopt; and ultimately ensure every child in Scotland is given a chance to grow up in a nurturing environment, regardless of their circumstances.

The specific theme of this year’s Adoption Week is Adoption Stories, which coincides with Book Week Scotland which also starts on Monday.

We’ve done that, so everybody can hear – through moving first-hand accounts – what a difference adoption is making to thousands of families across Scotland, and those stories will be central to our efforts this week.

On Tuesday, a Parliamentary reception in Holyrood showcased recent developments in adoption work in Scotland including the Mapping Adoption Support project and the publication of its Adoption Journey booklet, which draws on theory, evidence and lived experience to ensure those considering adoption are best prepared for what lies ahead.

That’s exactly what adoption is – a journey – and we want families to be aware of what is involved and where they can go for help and support.

Yesterday a Practitioners Event in Glasgow offered professionals an opportunity to learn about some of the positive work being undertaken by local authorities and voluntary agencies on the theme of “What does best adoption support look like”?

And today a Storytelling Event in Edinburgh will feature written accounts by people who shared their adoption stories, attended by the Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Over the past few months, Adoption UK Scotland has been working with young people to support them to tell their adoption journey stories, which have been collated into a book. The aim is to empower young adopted people, through the power of storytelling and poetry, to create their own stories based on their life experiences.

As a taster, here’s how one young person explained what home means to them:

“Having family, friends round for New Year’s, candles, dog shampoo and food. My sister shouting at me. Photo frames with memories from the past for future me.”

Around the country, councils are also holding a variety of events too.

Last year the Scottish Government continued its efforts to improve the adoption process for everyone, by providing more than £500,000 directly to adoption stakeholders.

Nearly half (£240,000) went to

St Andrews Children’s Society to maintain and expand Scotland’s Adoption Register, which facilitates “family finding”, by supporting the numbers of children placed for adoption and making the linking and matching process work as well as possible for all concerned.

The charity itself is hosting three information events as part of Adoption Week Scotland: at its offices in Aberdeen and Edinburgh and at the Time Capsule in Coatbridge.

Significant funding also found its way to AFAS (£98,000) to maintain services to professionals and practitioners in the adoption sector, while AUKS received £75,000 to provide a national helpline and support for adoptive families in Scotland.

I fully appreciate that deciding to adopt is a huge decision. However, I am sure you would agree, few can argue Every child in Scotland deserves a loving, caring, and stable home. Please, open your minds to the idea; open your homes to someone special; and maybe even open your hearts to a young person who may well change your life.

Maree Todd is the Minister for Children and Young People