The Church of England has apologised for its role in historical adoption practices, particularly in mother and baby homes. Mothers and adoptees who came into contact with these homes have described the profound and lasting impact of these experiences. Published alongside research into these homes, the apology recognises the impact on people affected and sets out the Church’s commitment to listening, learning and responding with honesty and compassion.

Please note: The contents of this page include references to historical adoption practices, including the separation of mothers and babies, stigma, and experiences of trauma and lasting emotional harm. Details of support services are included lower down this page.

Giving the apology on behalf of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said:

“We are profoundly sorry for the pain, trauma and stigma experienced - and still carried - by many people because of historical adoption practices in homes affiliated to the Church of England. We have heard first-hand the accounts of mothers who were separated from their babies in circumstances where they had very few meaningful choices.  We know that many women and girls were at times made to carry out menial and manual work as a form of ‘correction’. We also recognise where prejudice - including on the grounds of race and disability - shaped and defined experiences and outcomes.”

 “We are listening to the voices of people affected. They have told us about the pain, shame and indignity experienced both then and now. Today, we say to each of you: the shame you were made to feel was wrong. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, we are deeply ashamed that this happened to people in the care of Christian communities. All of this took place in a society that often valued secrecy and respectability over compassion and care. The Church of England was part of that society and helped to sustain those attitudes. While homes were encouraged to keep mothers and babies together, this often did not happen.  For many mothers, children, fathers and wider families affected by these practices, the impact has been lifelong. These practices are in the past and must never happen again. We will not condone or repeat them. Our commitment now is to listen, to lament and to learn – to acknowledge this history and respond with openness, reflection and learning, and to ensure that this leads to change.

 “We pay tribute to the people who have shared their stories and brought these personal and painful experiences to light. Their courage has helped to deepen our understanding of this history and the harm caused, and to ensure that first-hand accounts are heard. We want to acknowledge the important and often unseen work of organisations and charities who for many years have supported mothers, adoptees and families affected by adoption, and whose knowledge and care are invaluable. We pray for all people who carry these experiences, and for the grace to be a Church where everyone is treated with the love and dignity that comes from being made in God’s image.”

Listening and learning from lived experience

Listening to people directly affected has been an important part of this work.

We have heard first-hand accounts through the research project, as well as testimony shared via dioceses and other Church contexts. We have also carefully considered accounts shared publicly, including in media coverage, Parliamentary scrutiny, and by campaign and support organisations.

These testimonies have been deeply moving, speaking to the lasting impact carried by many. We are very grateful to all those who have shared their experiences, whether directly with this work or more widely.

Our research

• Research report - Historical Adoption Practices

Summary

The Church of England has carried out research into its involvement in mother and baby homes between 1949 and 1976. (The period 1949 to 1976 reflects the definition used by the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which examined adoption practices affecting unmarried mothers and their children during these years, which were bookended by landmark adoption legislation.)

The aim of the Church of England’s work was to better understand its role within a wider system shaped by the social attitudes and laws of the time, when unmarried mothers often faced stigma and had limited support.

The research draws mainly on archival records held at Lambeth Palace Library, including material from the Church of England’s Moral Welfare Council and its successor, the Board for Social Responsibility. It also includes documents such as meeting minutes, policy papers, annual reports from homes, and guidance issued to staff and chaplains.

These records were used to understand how homes were run, how decisions were made, and how they were connected to dioceses and wider Church structures.

It was not possible to produce a complete history. Records are incomplete, spread across many organisations, and in some cases have been lost or were never kept. Many records are held separately in local archives, and some no longer exist.

The research is based on evidence, but it can only tell part of the story because it relies on whatever information has survived and is still available. It is also limited because it reflects the perspectives of officials and people in administrative roles.

Improving access to records is important. We welcome the Government’s work to make it easier for people to find and access personal records, so individuals and families can learn more about their own histories. Dioceses should no longer hold adoption records and, where they do, we are encouraging dioceses to transfer them to relevant local archives as soon as possible.

Findings

The Church of England was a significant provider of mother and baby homes. We believe the number of mothers and babies connected to Church of England-affiliated homes is likely to be in the tens of thousands across the period. However, because of the nature of the records that still exist, it is not possible to give a precise figure with confidence.

We cannot give a precise number because we only have a sample of records, we can say with confidence:

• Around 185,000 children born to unmarried mothers were adopted across England and Wales during this period altogether, in all contexts.
• The Church of England was one of a number of providers of mother and baby homes within that wider system. 
• The Church of England was involved in a large number of homes (potentially over 200 over time), though not all operated simultaneously and the level of central oversight varied.

The homes operated under decentralised systems. Responsibility and decision-making were not held in one place.

Some homes were run directly by dioceses. Others were run by independent or semi-independent committees, with different levels of Church oversight.

At a national level, the Church’s Moral Welfare Council (later the Board for Social Responsibility) provided guidance, training and coordination. It advised dioceses and sought to influence government policy and practice.

The Church of England Moral Welfare Council’s guidance was clear that mothers and babies should be kept together where possible, and that any adoption should be with the mother’s consent. However, we are aware that this was not always followed in practice.

Standards and experience varied between homes. In some cases, attitudes were judgemental, and conditions were difficult. Limited resources, lack of alternative support, and wider social pressures often shaped what happened in practice.

Church bodies were aware that some homes did not meet acceptable standards and, following internal reviews in the late 1960s, they began to assess homes, identify those below standard, and consider whether some should improve, change their arrangements, or close if they could not meet acceptable levels of care.

They also knew that pressure on staff and services could affect the care and support offered.

These findings are based on the records that have been identified so far. Experiences varied widely, and this history cannot be reduced to a single account.

Conclusions

The research and personal testimonies show that there were examples of care and kindness in some homes and that many staff sought to provide what they believed was support in difficult circumstances.

However, many people have described experiences of harm and lasting trauma associated with their time in these settings.

Among the harms experienced by mothers and children, accounts describe people being categorised or treated differently because of physical disability or the colour of their skin, including being considered less likely to be adopted or placed into long-term institutional care. Some testimonies speak powerfully of the lasting impact of this – including experiences of exclusion and stigma both within care settings and wider society.

One clear gap in the records is the voices of people most affected. The experiences of mothers, their children and families are often missing or only partly recorded. During this work, we have listened to people who were affected, including through meetings and personal testimonies alongside the archival research and are continuing to do so.

Some accounts are included here. Each is personal. There are also shared themes of life in these homes. We are grateful to everyone who has shared their experiences.

Finding support

If you have been affected by this news or would like to speak to someone, a range of options are listed below. This includes specialist agencies and charities we have worked with, followed by details of how to contact the Church of England.

Government resources

The Adoption Contact Register

The Adoption Contact Register enables adopted adults and birth relatives to register their wish to make contact with one another. Where both parties have registered and consented, the service can help facilitate contact and reconnect family members separated by adoption.

Website: gov.uk/adoption-records/the-adoption-contact-register
Phone: 0300 123 1837

Specialist advice

National PAC-UK Advice Line

The National PAC-UK Advice Line provides independent, confidential advice and information for people affected by adoption, special guardianship and other forms of permanent care. The service is staffed by qualified and experienced PAC-UK counsellors and social workers with specialist expertise in these areas.

Website: family-action.org.uk/pac-uk
Email: advice@pac-uk.org
Phone: 0300 1800 090

FamilyConnect Advice Line

Delivered by Family Action's adoption support agency PAC-UK, FamilyConnect provides information, support and guidance on tracing and reconnecting with family members, the services available, and whether you may be eligible for funding.

Website: familyconnect.org.uk
Email: familyconnect@pac-uk.org
Phone: 0300 1800 205

Adoption UK

Practical suggestions, information and encouragement with signposting to specialist help

Website: adoptionuk.org/information-and-support-service
Information and support service: 0300 666 0006
Email: informationsupport@adoptionuk.org.uk

Contacting the Church of England

Within the Church of England, you can speak to your vicar or contact your diocese who will listen. Where helpful, they may suggest you contact specialist services, some of which are listed above.

You can find out your local parish details by visiting A Church Near You

Safe Spaces

Provides a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church
Website: safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Helpline: 0300 303 1056

Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team at safeguarding@derby.anglican.org or the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org.

Additional services 

Barnardo’s Adoption Support

Support for adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families
Website: barnardos.org.uk/adopt/link-adoption-support-service
Email: link.referralhub@barnardos.org.uk

Samaritans

24/7 emotional support for anyone in distress
Website: samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123

St Helen’s, Etwall, was awash with colour and vibrancy when they held their Well Dressing and Flower Festival weekend.

All the hard work of the community organisers, flower arrangers, clergy and volunteers paid off as the church was full of much fellowship and laughter.

It was st Helen’s first attempt at the Well dressing board, which, with a strong steer, turned out brilliantly with thanks to experienced dressers!

This was a true example of a community working together – for the community to embrace and enjoy!

Congratulations, St Helen’s, on your wonderful achievement and for bringing such colour and warmth to the church and local community.

>> More photos on the St Helen's Etwall Facebook site

Can you believe that we’re already halfway through 2026? In many ways, the first half of the year has been characterised by movement. By the time you read this Bishop Malcolm will have retired, Archdeacon Emma will have started, other clergy and laity will both come and go, and the stories of our lives (in most spheres of life) will rarely be “static”.

In the midst of constantly changing times, building our lives on the rock that is Jesus offers us stability—a rootedness—that many of us crave. Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with that picture: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24).

Discipleship is not an optional extra for a few keen Christians; it is the steady work of becoming people whose lives are held firm by Christ, whatever shifts around us.

I entered 2026 with a prayerful sense that the Lord was saying to me, “Your power comes through prayer”, and with a sense of being invited into deeper dependence on Jesus as life threw some significant challenges my way. It reminded me that we are not formed by good intentions alone, but by encounter—by repeatedly placing ourselves where Jesus has promised to meet us.

That is where “making new disciples” begins: not with techniques, but with being made new ourselves. St Athanasius famously wrote, “He became what we are that He might make us what He is.” If that is true, our calling is to be shaped into the likeness of Jesus—so that, in our words, patience, courage, and compassion, others might catch a glimpse of him.

This matters because the Church is not sustained primarily by activity, but by holiness—by lives quietly remade. St Irenaeus wrote, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” We become “fully alive” as Christ’s life takes root in ours, and we begin to radiate out what we have received. Paul says it with breathtaking simplicity: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). People do not only need our programmes; they need our presence in communities across the diocese—Christ’s presence shining through ordinary disciples.

How are we formed? By grace, yes—and also by habits that keep us close to the Lord. The Christian tradition has always known that we are shaped by what we repeatedly attend to, love, and practise. Not as a way of earning God’s favour, but as a way of becoming available to God’s transforming work.

Worship re-centres us in God’s story and trains our hearts to love Christ. Week by week, we are gathered, forgiven, fed by word and sacrament, and sent back out into our communities. Over time, the liturgy sinks beneath the surface and becomes reflex: gratitude rather than grumbling; forgiveness rather than resentment. “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19) is not simply recollection; it is, and becomes a way of life. We remember Jesus until, slowly, our lives begin to resemble him.

Prayer is not merely asking for help; it is communion. As St Augustine wrote, “our heart is restless until it rests in you.” In prayer, our hearts are reordered—where anxiety becomes intercession, anger becomes radical honesty, and weariness becomes healthy dependence. Jesus often “withdrew… and prayed” (Luke 5:16); if the Son of God sought the Father’s company, how much more do we? Prayer also builds courage: it teaches us to see the world truthfully and to love it without being consumed by it. “Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting is not passivity but practised dependence—resilience for leadership, parenting, friendship, service, and grief.

Bible reading is not information-gathering but meeting, and dwelling in, the living Word: “All Scripture is breathed out by God…” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). We come with our questions and let the Spirit comfort, confront, and form us. Meditation helps the Word sink in—slowly letting Christ’s words dwell in us (Colossians 3:16). Nature, especially the beauty of Derbyshire, can restore wonder and patience as we remember “the earth is the LORD’s” (Psalm 24:1). And study is loving God with our minds (Mark 12:30), so we can “give a reason for the hope” within us (1 Peter 3:15).

None of these practices are about spiritual heroics or instant ‘wins’. They are about attention. They are ways of turning towards Jesus so that Jesus can turn us outward again. They are also wonderfully adaptable. A busy parent might pray in ten-minute fragments. A carer might read a Psalm each day. A student might find Christ in study and service. A retiree might offer the gift of time and intercession. The point is not the quantity; it is the orientation: “Abide in me… for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:4–5).

As we are being formed in this way, evangelism becomes less about pressure and more about overflow. New disciples are rarely argued into existence; they are often drawn to a life that radiates Jesus—steadiness in chaos, hope in sorrow, kindness under strain. Peter says, “Always be prepared to make a defence… yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Gentleness and respect are not add-ons; they are evidence that Christ is at work in us.

So, as this year continues to move and change, let’s choose the steady places of encounter. Let’s build on the Rock. Let’s make room for worship, prayer, Scripture, meditation, nature, and study—not as tasks, but as meeting places. And as we seek to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do what Jesus did, may our neighbours—through our ordinary, grace-shaped lives—come to know the extraordinary love of Christ.

The Ven. Matthew Trick

Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire

St Bartholomew’s Church in Osmaston, Derby, continues to thrive and welcome parishioners old and new. This is how it has been since it first opened its doors.

2026 marks 100 magnificent years in Osmaston, Derby.

A truly special service and event was held to mark this milestone and reflect on the life of this church and the wide-ranging community that it serves.

The service was led by Rev Fr Alasdair Kay and the Ven. Matthew Trick, Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire, preached. Special guests Derby South MP Baggy Shanker and Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, joined the service and celebrations.

The church was built to serve the Osmaston area, as people had moved to the area to work at the developing Rolls-Royce factory in Nightingale Road, and the church survived a bombing during the war

Since its consecration, St Bartholomew’s has welcomed thousands of people through its doors to worship.

Later in the year, the celebrations will continue with the planting of an oak tree in an area of wildflowers in the church grounds created by Fr Alasdair.

He said: "Osmaston is a very multicultural place, and we wanted to celebrate that with the planting of the oak tree, of which there are more than 100 different species”.

"I am a Franciscan friar, and so wildlife and nature are very important. The church is a thriving example of having green space and grounds despite being in an urban environment.

"Its links with the Rolls-Royce factory have been very strong over the years, and we have volunteers from the company come to the church grounds and help to keep our green space flourishing."

Fr Kay said, "I have been here for 10 months, and our congregation is building once again. It has been part of a proactive project to revitalise churches around the city and represents an investment by the diocese into the future of the churches, and we, along with some others, are bucking the trend in church attendance."

St Bartholomew’s is a brick-built structure in the Arts and Crafts style, designed by Derby architect Percy Heylin Currey and completed in 1927. It was largely funded by a £1,000 request from local man Colonel George Newdigate. It was extended in 1968 and can seat approx 200 people.

The Venerable Emma Sykes has been formally welcomed, collated and installed as Archdeacon of East Derbyshire this week, at a special Evensong service at Derby Cathedral.

Emma shares a little about her story up until this point. She writes…

“I have lived in Birmingham for nearly 30 years and began my working life in the charity
sector working with young people facing homelessness and other challenging issues. From there I became a youth minister for a short time at St Michael's Church in Boldmere which became a significant part of discerning a call to ordained ministry.

“I trained a t St John's College, Nottingham and in 2008, was ordained at Birmingham Cathedral. I served my curacy at St Martin in the Bull Ring and became Associate Rector there three years later. In 2014, I took a break from full-time ministry and took a 'portfolio' approach, taking on a variety of different roles as a self-supporting minister including being an assistant DDO and a BAP advisor.

“I also worked part time for CPAS as a Leadership Specialist with a focus on young vocations and facilitating training for Curates and Incumbents. In May 2020, I followed God's call back to full-time parish ministry, as Vicar of St Barnabas Erdington and Oversight Minister for the Erdington Area and became a member of General Synod in June 2024.

“I am married to Andrew (also known as Mac) and have two adult sons. In my spare time I enjoy running, walking and being on adventures with Mac in our campervan. I am delighted to be joining the Diocese of Derby and especially getting to know the people and churches in the East Derbyshire Archdeaconry as we share together the Kingdom of God being good news for all.”

The National Church of England is seeking feedback on the design of a proposed new safeguarding organisation. The consultation is now open and will run until 11pm on 17th May 2026.

At the heart of these reforms is the creation of a new national safeguarding organisation that will operate independently of Church hierarchy, governed by a majority-independent Board. This consultation seeks your views on the detailed design of this organisation, referred to in the consultation as the “Authority”.

Whether you are a survivor, a parish volunteer, a safeguarding professional, a Church officer, or a member of the wider public, your perspective will help us refine these proposals. Your feedback and viewpoints are essential and will help ensure the proposals are robust, sustainable, and fit for purpose.

Find out more about this consultation and take part here.

This June Deborah Lee, a trustee for Mother's Union for the York province of the Church of England, is raising money for the charity by cycling from York Minster to the 150th anniversary service at St Paul's Cathedral, visiting MU branches in ten dioceses on the way.

As she cycles through the Diocese of Derby, she will be joined by our Diocesan MU Chaplain, Canon Michael Futers, and by the Very Revd Geoffrey Marshall.

Mick and Geoff will join Deb at Sheffield Cathedral on the afternoon of Wednesday 3 June; they will then cycle to Chesterfield for the night. On Thursday they will cycle nearly 60 miles out of our diocese into the Diocese of Nottingham & Southwell and back into Derby – riding from Chesterfield via Wingerworth, Mansfield Woodhouse, Hucknall and Sandiacre to Derby. On Friday 4 June they will cycle from Derby into the Diocese of Leicester, leaving Deborah at Coalville.

Deborah said on her JustGiving page: "Mothers' Union has been supporting families for 150 years. This cycle ride is part of the lighting the way for generations to come. We need this unique movement to continue for another 150 years as its work in Britain, Ireland and across the world improves lives.

"Our work focuses on reducing violence, poverty and injustice. Our literacy campaign has empowered women, transforming communities, we support parenting and those whose lives have met with adversity, offering holidays for those that need them and supporting prisoners and their families. I will be visiting tendioceses on my travels and hope you can come and visit one with me!"

You can find out more about the team's efforts on their JustGiving page here.

The Dean and Chapter of Derby Cathedral, together with the Acting Bishop of Derby, invite you to the Cathedral Church on Sunday, 17 May 2026 at 5.15 pm, to celebrate as Emma begins her new ministry as Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.

In this joyful service, The Dean will collate Emma to her new role, and place her in her stall within the Cathedral, marking this significant moment in Emma’s ministry.

We very much hope you will be able to be part of this special occasion, and invite you to hold Emma and the Archdeaconry in your prayers.

It is a privilege to be returning to the Diocese of Derby to serve as Acting Bishop while Bishop Libby is signed off work by her GP. We continue to hold her in our prayers as she recovers.

With Bishop Malcolm retiring on 30 April, the Archbishop of Canterbury has asked me to take on the responsibilities of the Diocesan Bishop for this time.

Some of you may know that I served as Vicar of Littleover from 2003 to 2012. Those years shaped me deeply, and it is a joy to reconnect with this diocese. Since then, I have served in Gloucester and Exeter, most recently as Bishop of Crediton and Acting Bishop of Exeter.

I am married to David, we have grown up children, and we have recently become grandparents, a gift that brings us great joy.

I will be working part time, and we will be working collegially as a senior team to ensure continuity and support across the diocese.

God is faithful, and the work of the Kingdom continues in every part of the diocese.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks and will be glad of your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Bishop Libby, for Bishop Malcolm in his retirement, and for all who serve in ministry and mission in this diocese.

Dear friends across the Diocese of Derby,

I would like to express my deep gratitude for your kindness and generosity as I retire today from ministry as Bishop of Repton. Your many good wishes and your lovely gifts are hugely appreciated. The cheque will go a long way in helping us equip our new home in Gloucester. And the Evensong farewell service on 19 April was beautiful and unforgettable - a big thank you also to the Dean, the Choir, and all the Derby Cathedral team.

It has been a joy and a privilege to share with you and with Bishop Libby all over this beautiful county. The warmth of your welcome has been a great encouragement, and it has been so good to journey in ministry together.

Pam and I move to Gloucester the first week in May, and as many of you will know we plan to set off on pilgrimage, cycling from Lands End to John o Groats at the end of the month. As we go you will all be in our prayers. I’d like to thank Bishop Libby in particular for her kindness, care, and inspiration as we have worked together, and all of you for your prayers at this time.

With every blessing, and my prayers always.
Bishop Malcolm

All photos from the Evensong service held on Sunday 19 April can be found here on our Flikr page