Charity's findings contradict recent Care Inspectorate report.

Families with adopted children often struggle to access support services, according to a charity.

Adoption UK said 62% of families in Scotland receive advice that is unhelpful or unsuitable for their needs.

In one case, this led to a family being offered a support group 38 miles from their home, while another described their support as “disastrous”.

The charity said its findings are in direct contradiction to a new report from the Care Inspectorate, which found 92% of adoption services were rated as “good” or better by inspectors.

According to the report, 13% of services in the care and support category were evaluated to be ‘excellent’; 50% were very good; 29% good; and 8% adequate – while none was deemed to be weak or unsatisfactory.

But Adoption UK claims support provision across Scotland is variable and, in some cases, the type of support that adoptive parents felt that they needed was not on offer.

A barometer survey for the charity found that adopters were generally positive about the support they had received from local government agencies.

However, the survey also revealed that many parents were unaware of what support was available to them.

Fiona Aitken, Adoption UK’s director in Scotland, said: “It is great to see that service provision in areas in Scotland is being so highly evaluated by the Care Inspectorate.

“It reinforces what we know about there being excellent support services available for some adoptive families.

“However, we also know that many families don’t know what help is available for their family, or struggle to access it. We would like to see adoption support become more accessible and consistent across Scotland, and available to all those who require it.”