Coram has responded to the government’s apology on forced adoption practices that occurred between 1948 and 1976.
Dame Carol Homden, CEO of Coram, said:
“We welcome the government’s formal apology to all those affected by historical forced adoption practices in England.
“This is a significant step in acknowledging the lack of support and protection from the state which denied thousands of unmarried mothers a real and meaningful choice and led them to relinquish their babies when they could have cared for them. These practices have had a profound impact, resulting in lifelong trauma and suffering for many mothers, their children and wider families.
“As part of the apology, it is vital that the government works directly with those affected and sets out how they will be supported, within a clear timeframe. Reparative work should include funding for adopted adults and birth parents to access therapeutic support, and to search and trace within their records. For many decades, Coram (formerly the Foundling Hospital) has supported children and adults in exploring their story and CoramBAAF’s Adoption, Search and Reunion website helps adopted people find out where their records might be held. Later in the year, CoramBAAF, in partnership with the Archive and Records Association, will launch a new platform with extended information to give further support to those who are care-experienced or adopted to access their records.
“At this moment, we also reflect on the progressive changes in societal attitudes and access to contraception. The vast majority of adoptions today are of children who have been taken into care for their safety and where the plan for adoption is agreed by the court to provide lifelong security for the child. Practice is informed by much greater understanding of the impact of trauma, and the importance of openness and identity within adoption. Yet to ensure that the situation has really changed today, we need action to provide earlier support and intervention for families to avoid crisis and risk to children, and a commitment to the funding of lifelong support for adopted people and all affected by adoption.”
As part of the commemoration of the 1926 Adoption of Children Act, historian Harriet Ward has published the paper Adoption and the Problem of Illegitimacy.