Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 March 2026
Letter from Barnardos on Historical Forced Adoption, dated 04.06.26
From: Education Committee
Inquiry: Historical Forced Adoption
Summary
Barnardo's writes to the Education Committee following its 24 February 2026 oral evidence session on historical forced adoption. The charity expands on points it felt inadequately addressed, acknowledges systemic harms from 1940s–1970s forced adoptions, clarifies its role and limitations, and provides detailed data on its Making Connections records service, which holds ~10,000 adoption-related files and has processed 4,032 requests since 2006.
Key findings
- Barnardo's acknowledges the lifelong harm caused by forced adoptions (1940s–1970s) and recognises mothers faced societal and systemic pressures that negated meaningful choice, but states it did not systematically shame mothers.
- Making Connections archive holds approximately 10,000 paper-based records; since 2006, the service received 4,032 requests (2,933 from adopted adults, 866 from birth relatives, 233 from descendants), with 2,611 showing no Barnardo's connection.
- Barnardo's provided full service to 1,421 people associated with adoption since 2006; average response time is 3–5 months with priority given by age, life-limiting illness, or abuse history.
- Charity states it could have done more to challenge public attitudes and societal pressures during the forced adoption period, though it supported some mothers to explore options via residential/foster care rather than forcing irreversible adoption decisions.
- Barnardo's is not legally permitted to give birth mothers access to children's records (confidential under Adoption and Children Act 2022), but provides birth mothers with their own information and facilitates reunions where both parties consent.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
adoption-policysafeguardingchildren-servicesrecords-accessfamily-welfare
Key actors
Barnardo's, Helen Hayes, Education Committee, Brenda Farrell, Making Connections service
Notable line
“… we recognise we could have done more to challenge public attitudes and pressures during this time period.”
Key Quotes
“… we recognise the long-term harm caused to children, mothers and families by forced adoptions which took place in the UK during 2 the 1940s to 1970s.”
“… we understand that the question of meaningful consent cannot be separated from the context of the time and the associated pressures, stigma and shame experienced by women.”
“Since 2006 we have received 4032 requests: 2933 requests from adopted adults …”
“We are not legally permitted to give birth mothers access to their children's records because they are confidential .”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗