Historical Forced Adoption

Education Committee Open Non-inquiry session
Opened: 2 Jun 2026 Parliament page
In July 2022, the Joint Committee on Human Rights (the JCHR) published its report The Violation of Family Life: Adoption of Children of Unmarried Women 1949–1976 which examined the adoption practices in England and Wales during that time. In its report, the JCHR made a series of recommendations, including on … Read more
19 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
9 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 13 events
14 Jul
2026
Correspondence
9 Jul
2026
Report published
2 Jul
2026
Correspondence
10 Jun
2026
Correspondence
9 Jun
2026
Correspondence
29 Apr
2026
Correspondence
27 Mar
2026
Report published
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
24 Mar
2026
Correspondence
10 Mar
2026
Oral evidence
24 Feb
2026
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
10 Mar 2026
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Historical Forced Adoption
Ann Lloyd Keen · Movement for an Adoption Apology Debbie Iromlou · Adult Adoptee Movement Diana Defries · Movement for an Adoption Apology Josh MacAlister MP · Department for Education Sally Ells · Adult Adoptee Movement
24 Feb 2026
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Historical Forced Adoption
Brenda Farrell · Barnardo's Colonel Peter Forrest · The Salvation Army UK and Ireland Dr James Gallen · Dublin City University Dr Janet Greenlees · Glasgow Caledonian University Dr Michael Lambert · Lancaster University Emily Frith · Adoption UK Emma Crowther-Duncan · PAC-UK Professor Gordon Harold · University of Cambridge
Title HC No. Published Items Response
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption HC 1713 27 Mar 2026 23 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - Historical Forced Ado…
We are in agreement as a Committee that the survivors’ testimony, which was a formal...
We are in agreement as a Committee that the survivors’ testimony, which was a formal Parliamentary proceeding and live broadcast, was some of the most powerful, moving and compelling evidence we have heard. We would like to place on the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's gratitude for survivor testimony and the report's insights, reiterating the Prime Minister's formal apology for historic forced adoption practices.
Department for Education
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
8th Report - Historical Forced Ado…
To give an idea of the scale of this issue, it is estimated that around...
To give an idea of the scale of this issue, it is estimated that around 185,000 children were adopted between 1949 and 1976. Not all adoptions happened in the appalling circumstances described by our lived experience witnesses - for example, … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's report, recognising the seriousness and lasting impact of historic forced adoption practices, and highlights the Prime Minister's formal apology for the harm caused.
Department for Education
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3 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Historical Forced Ado…
Survivors of forced adoption must not have to repeat, in public, their harrowing stories anymore.
Survivors of forced adoption must not have to repeat, in public, their harrowing stories anymore. It is clear that decisive Government action, beginning with a co-authored apology, and continuing with a programme of fully funded support for survivors, must now … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the report and states that the Prime Minister delivered a formal apology on 2 July, which addressed the harm caused and the state's role. It indicates the document will detail further practical measures.
Department for Education
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19 Recommendation Acknowledged
8th Report - Historical Forced Ado…
Beyond this, it was clear from our evidence that as well as safeguarding and maintaining...
Beyond this, it was clear from our evidence that as well as safeguarding and maintaining records, organisations holding records must ensure they take steps to respond to and help survivors in a way that is sensitive to the challenges for … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts in principle, agreeing on sensitive treatment for individuals seeking records. It will support organizations in embedding a trauma-informed approach promoted by the updated 2025 practice guidance.
Department for Education
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Government Response AI assessment · 23 of 19 classified
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 6
Acknowledged 4
Total 19 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 9 letters
14 Jul 2026 To committee Letter from Chair to Secretary of State on the Historical Forced Adoption Apology dated 14.07.26
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2 Jul 2026 Government Response to Historical Forced Adoption, dated 02.07.26
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10 Jun 2026 Correspondence with Secretary of State on Historical Forced Adoption dated 10.06.26
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9 Jun 2026 To committee Letter from Barnardo's on Historical forced adoptions dated 29.06.26
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29 Apr 2026 Correspondence with Secretary of State on Historical Forced Adoptions dated 28.04.26 and 29.04.26
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24 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from Barnardos on Historical Forced Adoption, dated 04.06.26
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24 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from The Salvation Army on Historical Forced Adoption, dated 12.06.26
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24 Mar 2026 To committee Letter from The Salvation Army on Historical Forced Adoption, dated 05.06.26
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24 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise on Historical Forced Adoption, dated 19.02.26
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