Education Select Committee publishes report on historical forced adoption
The publication of the Education Select Committee’s report Historical Forced Adoption last week marks a significant moment for the many people and families affected by these practices.
We recognise the work of those with lived experience and who have shared their own deeply personal experiences calling for an apology for policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies.
For all affected, the impact will have been significant and lifelong. We know from evidence and accounts that many unmarried mothers faced particularly unfair and inhumane treatment which has had ongoing profound impacts for them, their children and their wider families.
Modern adoption is completely different, mostly supporting children who would otherwise be at risk of significant harm and where this is the right plan for them. However, this still requires commitment of long-term support for all those involved.
Looking back from today, we must show empathy and support for those affected and recognise the very individual experiences of those adopted.
“Not all adoptions happened in the appalling circumstances described by our lived experience witnesses - for example, sometimes children were orphaned. People with lived experience may have a diverse range of views on what happened, and of course not everyone’s experience was the same, with some happily more positive; but a diversity of views does not dilute the harm that many suffered and whose testimony we have heard.” (Education Select Committee Report, Historical Forced Adoption, 27 March 2026)
If the Government does take forward an apology, as recommended by this Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights and following the apologies made in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, then there are important considerations.
The Government will need to work directly with those affected and set out how it intends to support them going forward. Improvements to intermediary services, access to records, and access and availability of therapeutic support for those who have been adopted are all essential considerations. These services need proper resourcing and funding and we welcome initial commitments, but the Government must go further. It should also ensure that those who need adoption today and the many families who provide loving homes for children in need of them are also recognised.
We need to play our part. That is why we are working with the Archives and Records Association to develop a new platform to give care-experienced and adopted people better access to their records, which we plan to launch this year. We welcome the minister’s comments about this in his evidence to this inquiry.
It is also important to take the time to reflect on practice and society today. The modernisation of adoption practice means that adoption is now characterised by greater openness, based on research into what is important for children, and we further understand the lifelong implications of adoption. The overwhelming majority of children adopted today are adopted from care and need adoption as they can no longer stay with their family. However, there are still some babies relinquished for adoption because of family pressures, lack of resources to care for another child or unmet needs for support. It is important to build on the Government’s Families First programme and provide earlier support and intervention.
One hundred years on from the 1926 Adoption Act society has progressively changed along with adoption practice. We recognise the deep pain caused by historic practice and stand with all those affected. We support the call from this committee for the Government to make an initial commitment to an apology, and to work with those with lived experience and agencies to develop this with a clear timetable. One of the greatest ways the Government can acknowledge harms of the past and help people heal is by taking action to support those affected, both historically and today. We look forward to working with all our partners, adopted people, and the Government to get those affected the right support.