Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
14
Recommendation
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
Accepted in Part
The Government must listen to and engage with survivors of forced adoption practices. The Government should commit to a survivor engagement strategy that guarantees regular consultation and clear lines of accountability, both in the short term as the Government works towards an apology, and for the long-term to ensure that …
Read more
The Government must listen to and engage with survivors of forced adoption practices. The Government should commit to a survivor engagement strategy that guarantees regular consultation and clear lines of accountability, both in the short term as the Government works towards an apology, and for the long-term to ensure that survivors’ experiences and insights directly inform the Government’s decision-making processes and that they are able to hold the Government to account for the impact of the apology. (Recommendation, Paragraph 44) Learning from other countries
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government accepts the principle, stating it has already undertaken and will continue structured engagement. It commits to maintaining ongoing dialogue, co-developing communications and guidance, and considering mechanisms for accountability.
Read full response →
Department for Education
17
Recommendation
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
Accepted in Part
The Government must take steps to ensure that all affected individuals receive timely, consistent and transparent access to adoption records. This obligation should be underpinned by clear statutory duties requiring every record-holding body to maintain accurate records and meet nationally defined standards for disclosure. The Government should establish a single, …
Read more
The Government must take steps to ensure that all affected individuals receive timely, consistent and transparent access to adoption records. This obligation should be underpinned by clear statutory duties requiring every record-holding body to maintain accurate records and meet nationally defined standards for disclosure. The Government should establish a single, standardised national access point for adoption records, something that survivors recommended to us. (Recommendation, Paragraph 63)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to support a national platform for locating adoption records and strengthening expectations on record-holding bodies through endorsing best practice. They will review progress before considering further regulatory or legislative steps.
Read full response →
Department for Education
20
Recommendation
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
Accepted in Part
The Government must introduce a nationally funded and regulated intermediary service to ensure that all adoptees and birth relatives have access to skilled, trauma-informed professionals who can support them in navigating contact, reunion, or information-sharing processes safely and sensitively. As part of this process the Government should also ensure 31 …
Read more
The Government must introduce a nationally funded and regulated intermediary service to ensure that all adoptees and birth relatives have access to skilled, trauma-informed professionals who can support them in navigating contact, reunion, or information-sharing processes safely and sensitively. As part of this process the Government should also ensure 31 that online ancestry tracing and DNA testing sites offer clear support and signposting for people who find out they are adopted, and should consult on whether such sites need to be regulated. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73) A dedicated mental health support pathway
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to expand access to funded intermediary services for historical cases and support national virtual peer-support groups, but does not address the regulation of ancestry tracing sites.
Read full response →
Department for Education
21
Recommendation
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
Accepted in Part
The Government must introduce a dedicated, trauma-informed health pathway for all those affected by historical forced adoption. This should include improved access to specialist psychological support for birth mothers and adult adoptees, national clinical guidance recognising the heightened prevalence of complex PTSD and suicide risk in these groups, and consistent …
Read more
The Government must introduce a dedicated, trauma-informed health pathway for all those affected by historical forced adoption. This should include improved access to specialist psychological support for birth mothers and adult adoptees, national clinical guidance recognising the heightened prevalence of complex PTSD and suicide risk in these groups, and consistent provision across England through a single national service specification. (Recommendation, Paragraph 78)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to strengthen access to trauma-informed care through existing NHS pathways by co-producing materials, improving clinician awareness, and enhancing signposting. They do not commit to a dedicated new health pathway.
Read full response →
Department for Education
22
Recommendation
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
Accepted in Part
Adult adoptees told us that one of the harms they experienced was the loss of their health records. The Government should introduce an adoption marker on health records so that requests for medical history can be sensitively handled and additional screening and testing offered where needed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 79) Learning …
Read more
Adult adoptees told us that one of the harms they experienced was the loss of their health records. The Government should introduce an adoption marker on health records so that requests for medical history can be sensitively handled and additional screening and testing offered where needed. (Recommendation, Paragraph 79) Learning and improving practice
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government accepts in principle, committing that NHS England will explore how patients can have their forced adoption experience recorded in health records. This includes improving clinician responses, providing clearer guidance on screening, and enhancing understanding of adoption-related needs.
Read full response →
Department for Education
23
Recommendation
8th Report - Historical Forced Adoption
Accepted in Part
The Government should commission and fund independent research into historical forced adoption, including quantitative and qualitative studies on outcomes and on best practice for support interventions, to build a comprehensive evidence base that informs future policy decisions and improves support for survivor. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82) 32
Read more
The Government should commission and fund independent research into historical forced adoption, including quantitative and qualitative studies on outcomes and on best practice for support interventions, to build a comprehensive evidence base that informs future policy decisions and improves support for survivor. (Recommendation, Paragraph 82) 32
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, committing to commission a testimonials project and improve how relevant information is recorded within existing systems to build an evidence base. It will take a phased approach to further research, keeping the need for large-scale studies under review.
Read full response →
Department for Education