Today the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, apologised in Parliament on behalf of the UK government for forced adoption practices in England and the decades of harm this caused.
If you were affected by forced adoption practices in England particularly between 1949 and 1976, whether as a mother, an adopted person, or a wider family member, the government has formally apologised for the role of the state in this injustice, and announced new support to help people access records, reconnect with family, and get the help they need.
Here's what was announced, what the apology means, and how to access support.
What has the government apologised for?
The apology recognised that around 185,000 birth mothers and adopted people in England and Wales could have been affected by forced adoption practices, primarily between 1949 and 1976.
During this period, many women were denied a genuine choice about keeping their children. Some were made to feel ashamed or unworthy, and pressured or misled into giving up their babies. Children were taken from their birth families, and stripped of their identity and their history. Fathers and wider families were affected too, and for many people the impact has lasted a lifetime and, in some cases, across generations.
The apology acknowledges that the state did not do enough to protect mothers, children and families from this harm, and bears responsibility for the systems it funded and allowed to continue.
Why is this happening now?
This apology follows years of campaigning by mothers, adopted people and support organisations, as well as recommendations from Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Education Select Committee. The government has taken time to listen to people with lived experience and get both the wording of the apology, and the practical support alongside it, right and we are grateful to them for their brave and tireless campaigning.
What support is the government offering?
Alongside the apology, the government has announced a £4 million support package, to be delivered over the next three years. This is designed around what people affected have said matters most: understanding their past, accessing records, reconnecting with family where possible, and receiving support that recognises what they have lived through.
The funding will go towards:
Easier access to adoption records
Support to help people trace their adoption records, delivered through the charity Coram BAAF.
We’re writing to Local Authorities, Voluntary Adoption Agencies and Regional Adoption Agencies to remind them of the need to respond to requests for records compassionately and quickly.
Help reconnecting with family
Continued and expanded funding for intermediary services, including FamilyConnect, which helps people search for and reconnect with birth family members where appropriate.
Better health support
The government is working with NHS England to improve access to appropriate health support for those affected, including support for mental health challenges linked to this experience.
Peer support
New peer support is being developed through FamilyConnect so people affected can connect with others who understand what they have been through.
A lived experience reference group
A new group made up of people with direct experience of forced adoption will help review progress and ensure support keeps improving over time.
Capturing people's stories
A testimonials project will document the long-term impact of forced adoption on people's lives, to ensure these experiences are properly recorded and lessons are learned.
Does this apology apply across the whole of the UK?
This apology relates specifically to historic adoption practices in England. Scotland and Wales have each issued their own separate apologies, which the UK government supports.
In Northern Ireland, work is underway to establish a statutory public inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, led by the Northern Ireland Executive.
The government also recognises that some people's experiences of coercive adoption practices extended beyond 1976. Today's adoption system is fundamentally different, with strong legal safeguards, clear consent requirements, and independent judicial oversight in place.
How do I get support if I've been affected?
If you have been affected by historic forced adoption practices, you don't have to navigate this alone. Support is available right now:
- FamilyConnect offers confidential support, including counselling, help tracing records, and support with reunification where appropriate. Call 0300 1800 205 or visit familyconnect.org.uk
- Samaritans is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, free from any phone, including from outside England: 116 123. This is particularly helpful if you feel that you need urgent mental health support.
- You can also speak to your GP, who can help you access further support, including for your mental health