After nearly two decades of campaigning, the government on Thursday 02nd July 2026 issued a formal public apology to those affected by historical forced adoption.
Between the 1940s and 1970s, an estimated 185,000 mothers in England and Wales were coerced, shamed, or forced into giving up their babies for adoption - causing profound and lasting trauma for multiple generations of women, as well as significant and enduring impacts on their children.
In April this year, a report launched by the cross-party Education Committee concluded that Government decisions shaped the environment which enabled this practice to happen, and that a formal public apology should be made.
Sarah Johal MBE, Adoption England's National Adoption Strategic Lead, said; "We have been advocating for a formal Government apology to those affected by historical forced adoption for a long time.
"The experiences of mothers who had their children taken from them, often without real choice or support, represent a profound injustice that has caused deep and lasting pain. That impact has been felt not only at the time, but across lifetimes—for the women, their children, and their wider families.
I hope this apology brings some recognition of that harm and begins to restore a sense of dignity and justice for those affected. While it is a significant and important moment, it must be the starting point for continued understanding, meaningful support, and lasting change recognising the lifelong impact of adoption."
The Department for Education will be providing £4 million investment over three years to strengthen support for those affected. This includes:
- Improving access to adoption records through a new national records platform and enhanced record retention arrangements.
- Expanding specialist advice, intermediary and family-finding services through FamilyConnect to help individuals access information and reconnect with relatives where appropriate.
- Increasing access to trauma-informed peer support and specialist services for those affected by historical forced adoption.
- Working with NHS England to improve awareness, recognition and access to appropriate health and mental health support.
Anyone affected who needs support can contact FamilyConnect - a service funded by Adoption England and expanded due to additional funding from the Dfe and delivered by charity PAC UK, helping adults who have been adopted and birth families who would like support and advice: www.familyconnect.org.uk
They also offer an expanded intermediary service for people adopted prior to 1976: Welcome to FamilyConnect – FamilyConnect advice line 0300 1800 205 or email FamilyConnect@pac-uk.org