Vital parliamentary report calls on UK Government to issue formal state apology for its role in historical forced adoption, alongside meaningful redress for all those affected

 

Today the Education Select Committee has published the findings of its short inquiry into forced historical adoption practices in England, calling for an urgent apology by the Westminster Government alongside improved access to records, a national intermediary service, a trauma informed health pathway, adoption markers on health records, and research into the impact of this practice to inform better support. Click here to read the report

 

Adoption UK fully supports the Committee’s recommendations and calls on the Government to act with urgency. The Minister must work to immediately publish a clear timetable for an apology alongside a meaningful programme of redress.

 

After years of campaigning by survivors and advocates, this important report adds significant weight to the campaign calling for an official state apology by the British Government for its role in enabling the barbaric practice of historical forced adoption in the 1940’s, 50’s 60’s 70’s and 80’s. One expert witness described the importance of an apology, stating that without it, survivors cannot begin the process of recovery. 

 

Adoption UK was pleased to have the opportunity to give evidence to the Committee as part of this inquiry. Reflecting the views of Adoption UK’s adult advisory group, Emily Frith, Chief Executive of Adoption UK told the Committee: 

 

“An apology on its own is not enough; there needs to be redress. We think there should be much better support for access to records and standards around that, support for tracing of birth families, and access to therapeutic support that is adoptee-competent. Action needs to be taken on all those issues in order for an apology to be appropriate.”

 

This call to action is backed up by Adoption UK’s Barometer survey which last year found that less than half of adult adoptees reported having all the information they needed about their early lives and their adoption. Whilst most respondents had accessed therapeutic support and counselling, less than a third knew where they could access therapy that was adoptee-competent. 

 

As the Government now considers the evidence put forward, it is vital ministers work closely with survivors to shape an apology and programme of redress and support that is both meaningful and effective.