The Church of England has apologised for its role in historic adoption practices
Please be aware that this page includes references to historical adoption practices, including the separation of mothers and babies, stigma, and experiences of trauma and lasting emotional harm. If you need support, please visit the ‘If you need help’ section of this page, or visit churchofengland.org/adoption
The Church of England was a significant provider of mother and baby homes in the mid-20th century. These were set up to support unmarried pregnant mothers and, in many cases, facilitated adoptions.
While a precise number is not known, it is estimated that tens of thousands of mothers and babies came into contact with the homes.
Apology and report
Work has been undertaken by the Church of England to learn more about its involvement in historical adoption practices in the post-war decades, broadly covering the period between 1949 and 1976.
This research has highlighted a mixed and partial picture which sets out care and compassion, alongside some practice which clearly falls short of what would be expected of people in the care of a Christian community.
The Church of England has now published a report (18 June 2026) summarising this research, alongside a public statement apologising for the hurt and trauma many people have experienced as a result of what happened to them in mother and baby homes.
Giving the apology on behalf of the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame 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."
Read the Church of England's report and apology in full
What is known about Mother and Baby Homes in the Diocese of Rochester
The Diocese of Rochester today covers the areas of Medway, north and west Kent, and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley.
Initial research by this Diocese, has established that the following properties operated as mother and baby homes for all, or part, of their history, in several areas:
- Rochester Diocesan Home Ravensbourne House 9 Blyth Road, Bromley
- St Lawrence Home 78 Rock Avenue, Gillingham
- Oakhurst 33 Lesney Park Road, Erith
- Heatherlands 184 Forest Road, Tunbridge Wells
- Kendall House 46 Pellham Road, Gravesend (later a private children’s home for young girls which was subject itself to an independent review panel in 2015, into allegations of abusive and inappropriate practice - Kendall House Review Report )
- St. Faith’s Home, Bearsted, Maidstone. (Although outside the Diocese of Rochester, it was intended 'primarily for the use of the Diocese of Canterbury and Rochester')
The type of information held in records ranges from a simple entry in a register recording the date when the mother was sent to the home and the date when she left. In other cases, it may relate to a diary entry, or notes/correspondence in a case file.
Records are incomplete and may not cover all the individuals who spent time in the homes.
We also know that in the 1860s, the Church of England Dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester set up ‘The Canterbury and Rochester Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility’.
This was a charitable trust established as a joint venture, and its purpose was to provide support for vulnerable people in society.
This joint diocesan council ran a number of different projects in Kent, which included a number of mother and baby homes.
There is still much we do not know about the provision of mother and baby homes in this Diocese or of the experiences of those within them.
A time to listen
Together, Bishop Jonathan Gibbs, the Bishop of Rochester and Bishop Rose Hudson- Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover welcome the apology made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally on behalf of the Church of England, and encourage people affected to seek support.
“We are deeply saddened by any pain and distress experienced by those connected to mother and baby homes affiliated to the Church of England and in our own dioceses of Rochester and Canterbury.
“The Church now recognises the profound and lasting impact some of the decisions taken in these homes have had on so many lives, and the shame, stigma and, in some cases, discrimination experienced, and we support unconditionally the apology that has been given.
“We are continuing to learn about the relationship and involvement our two dioceses had in the provision of care in mother and baby homes, and we recognise that there is still much we do not know about the personal experiences and stories of those connected to them.
“We are committed to supporting those affected by historical adoption practices. We would encourage anyone who has been affected to seek support if they need it, and for anyone who would like to share their experience, to please make contact.
"Only by hearing and listening can we start to properly engage with the questions this part of our history raises and truly understand the pain and trauma suffered.”
If you need help
There are specialist organisations who can offer confidential advice, emotional support, and help with accessing records.
Accessing adoption records
If you know your full original birth name
You need to apply via the General Register Office for a copy of your original birth certificate.
If you do not know your full birth name
You need to write to the Registrar General explaining that:
- You were adopted
- Your adopted name
- Your date of birth
- That you are applying for a copy of your birth certificate under Schedule 2 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002
More information about accessing your Adoption Records can be found on GOV.UK Adoption Record
An FAQs can also be found here: Accessing your birth certificate if you were adopted before 30 Dec 2005 - FamilyConnect
Further specialist support
Dedicated, professional support is available through the following organisations:
- PAC-UK
Through their FamilyConnect website, PAC-UK helps adults who have been adopted, adults who have been in care, birth parents and relatives who have lost someone to adoption and professionals working in these areas.
Website: www.familyconnect.org.uk
Email: familyconnect@pac-uk.org
Phone 0300 1800 205
- Adoption UK
Adoption UK is the leading charity for adopted and care experienced people, adoptive families, and others parenting children who can’t live with their birth parents. There information and support advisers can offer practical suggestions, information and encouragement, wherever you are in the process. Anyone is welcome to call including adoptees, adopters, kinship carers, professionals and members of support networks.
Website: www.adoptionuk.org/information-and-support-service
Email: informationsupport@adoptionuk.org.uk
Phone: 0300 666 0006
- Barnardo’s Adoption Support
Support for adoptees, birth families, and adoptive families
Website: www.barnardos.org.uk/adopt/link-adoption-support-service
Email: link.referralhub@barnardos.org.uk
Pastoral and emotional support
If this matter has raised difficult feelings, or you need to talk to someone, the following support is available:
- Safe spaces
A free, independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. The Safe Spaces initiative is funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales.
Website: www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Phone: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
- Samaritans 24/7
Emotional support for anyone in distress
Website: www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
If you want to make contact within someone within the Diocese of Rochester about this matter, please email: historic.adoption@rochester.anglican.org so we can arrange a call.