8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption

Historical forced adoption practices involved systemic coercion, the removal of parental choice and often resulted in deep trauma and lifelong consequences for mental and physical health. A formal apology is necessary to acknowledge these harms and to recognise the state’s … Read more Historical forced adoption practices involved systemic coercion, the removal of parental choice and often resulted in deep trauma and lifelong consequences for mental and physical health. A formal apology is necessary to acknowledge these harms and to recognise the state’s role in 28 permitting them. We should be clear that the scope of the apology should extend beyond the 1949–1976 period as we have received clear evidence that the practices associated with forced adoptions happened before 1949 and continued after the introduction of the Adoption Act 1976. (Conclusion, Paragraph 28) Show less

Furthermore, many of those affected - both mothers and adult adoptees - are now elderly, and any further delay risks denying them the recognition they have waited decades to receive. Given the advancing age of those affected, time is now … Read more Furthermore, many of those affected - both mothers and adult adoptees - are now elderly, and any further delay risks denying them the recognition they have waited decades to receive. Given the advancing age of those affected, time is now a critical factor. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29) Show less

The meaningful involvement of survivors in the design and implementation of an apology is essential to ensure that the apology validates their experiences and that the mitigations put in place thereafter support them directly. The Government must embed mothers and … Read more The meaningful involvement of survivors in the design and implementation of an apology is essential to ensure that the apology validates their experiences and that the mitigations put in place thereafter support them directly. The Government must embed mothers and adoptees’ voices at every stage of the process of an apology. (Conclusion, Paragraph 30) Show less

The Government must provide an unqualified, formal apology to all those affected by historical forced adoption practices, including unmarried mothers who were forced to give up their children for adoption, adult adoptees who were forcibly taken from their birth families, … Read more The Government must provide an unqualified, formal apology to all those affected by historical forced adoption practices, including unmarried mothers who were forced to give up their children for adoption, adult adoptees who were forcibly taken from their birth families, unmarried mothers who were able to keep their children, but who were nevertheless subject to cruel practices, punishments and stigma, as well as birth fathers, siblings and other family members. (Recommendation, Paragraph 31) Show less

The Government must give an initial commitment to an apology, and must undertake the preliminary work for an apology - including working with survivor groups - as quickly as possible and commit publicly to a clear timetable for developing and … Read more The Government must give an initial commitment to an apology, and must undertake the preliminary work for an apology - including working with survivor groups - as quickly as possible and commit publicly to a clear timetable for developing and issuing its apology. (Recommendation, Paragraph 32) Show less

The Government must work directly with mothers, adult adoptees and lived-experience organisations to co-author both the apology and the measures that follow it. Co-production should run through all subsequent commitments on accessing records, trauma-informed health support, intermediary services, research and … Read more The Government must work directly with mothers, adult adoptees and lived-experience organisations to co-author both the apology and the measures that follow it. Co-production should run through all subsequent commitments on accessing records, trauma-informed health support, intermediary services, research and long-term representation in policymaking. (Recommendation, Paragraph 33) The State’s involvement Show less

Evidence shows that government policy decisions, funding arrangements and legislative frameworks shaped the environment in which unmarried mothers were routinely denied any meaningful choice in whether or not they could keep their children and were often shamed and coerced into … Read more Evidence shows that government policy decisions, funding arrangements and legislative frameworks shaped the environment in which unmarried mothers were routinely denied any meaningful choice in whether or not they could keep their children and were often shamed and coerced into submitting to have their children put up for adoption. (Conclusion, Paragraph 38) 29 Show less

We are encouraged by the Minister’s acceptance that the state had a role in historical forced adoptions. However, the Government must go further by acknowledging the central role that the state had during this time. (Conclusion, Paragraph 39)

The Government should formally and publicly recognise that the state played a central role in enabling and sustaining historical forced adoption practices. Acknowledging this responsibility is essential in order to correct the public record, address previous misrepresentations, reduce the burden … Read more The Government should formally and publicly recognise that the state played a central role in enabling and sustaining historical forced adoption practices. Acknowledging this responsibility is essential in order to correct the public record, address previous misrepresentations, reduce the burden of blame and shame felt by many mothers and adoptees and the feelings of abandonment and rejection felt by many adoptees, and lay the groundwork for a credible apology and meaningful redress for those affected. (Recommendation, Paragraph 40) Working with survivors Show less

Survivors of historical forced adoption practices have stressed the profound emotional burden of continually recounting their experiences and the many years they have spent campaigning without feeling heard by Government. It is clear to us that ongoing, structured dialogue with … Read more Survivors of historical forced adoption practices have stressed the profound emotional burden of continually recounting their experiences and the many years they have spent campaigning without feeling heard by Government. It is clear to us that ongoing, structured dialogue with survivors is not an optional extra but a foundation for meaningful progress. (Conclusion, Paragraph 43) Show less

The Government must undertake a rigorous assessment of international responses to historical forced adoptions, with special attention to the redress mechanisms introduced in Australia, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This learning should inform a UK approach that avoids … Read more The Government must undertake a rigorous assessment of international responses to historical forced adoptions, with special attention to the redress mechanisms introduced in Australia, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This learning should inform a UK approach that avoids symbolic or incomplete action and instead delivers a comprehensive, fully-resourced, survivor-led response. (Recommendation, Paragraph 54) 30 Improving access to adoption records Show less

The Government must take urgent action to ensure that all existing adoption records are preserved and protected from deterioration, destruction or loss. It should legislate to introduce a clear statutory duty on every record-holding institution to maintain and securely store … Read more The Government must take urgent action to ensure that all existing adoption records are preserved and protected from deterioration, destruction or loss. It should legislate to introduce a clear statutory duty on every record-holding institution to maintain and securely store their records. (Recommendation, Paragraph 62) Show less

The Government should issue new guidance to local authorities to improve the experience of birth mothers and adult adoptees seeking information about their records, with additional resources provided to local authorities so that requests for access to records do not … Read more The Government should issue new guidance to local authorities to improve the experience of birth mothers and adult adoptees seeking information about their records, with additional resources provided to local authorities so that requests for access to records do not have to compete with current child safeguarding priorities and that access to records is supported by better training of local authority staff. (Recommendation, Paragraph 64) Show less