Adoption and In-care records

Amongst the many collections at The London Archives (formerly known as London Metropolitan Archives), we hold some records relating to adoption and care. We appreciate that for some people seeking their social care records this might be an upsetting or anxious time. We hope the information we've provided here will be helpful.

What Adoption and Care Records are held at The London Archives?

London County Council and Middlesex County Council Adoption and Care Files

We hold the records for the London County Council (LCC) and Middlesex County Council (MCC). Between 1930 and 1965, these two local authorities were responsible for the area, known today as Greater London. Therefore, if you were placed in care or adopted through either the LCC or MCC we may have a file for you.

Please be aware that during this time period, there was no statutory duty on agencies to retain their social care records, and therefore sadly not all files have survived. However, the records The London Archives received have been kept in their entirety.

Adoption or Care Files in Greater London After 1965

For people adopted or in care after 1965 in Greater London who are seeking their social care file, please contact the social service department of the relevant London Borough – check The Care Leavers’ Association Local Authority Database for details of how to get in touch.

London County Council and Middlesex County Council Adoption and Care Index Cards

In addition to the files, The London Archives hold the LCC and MCC index card systems. These cards hold limited information.

The LCC index cards started in about 1950 and continued until 1965. The cards give details about an individual child, not their family, in the form of a series of numbers, which we will decode for you by reference to a manual. Please note, the system is very rigid, and it provides no opportunity for expansion. However, the type of information they may provide includes:

• Care dates
• A list of placements
• The type of placement, for example a children’s home, a foster home or a residential school
• The reason for being placed in care

The MCC index cards provide brief information about an individual child, which usually includes a list of placements and immediate family contact details.

Other Records Held

Although the LCC and MCC make up the majority of our adoption and care records we do hold some smaller collections, including a limited number of pre-1930 adoption and care records and some court files post 1965.

How to Access Adoption and Care Records

If you are looking for your own adoption or care records, you are welcome to contact us and we will undertake a search of our database and check our paper records. Please remember we mostly hold records pertaining to people who were adopted or in care by the local authorities responsible for Greater London until 1965.

Adopted or Care Experienced Individuals

If we hold any records for you, we will contact you to request some ID.

Your request will be passed to our resident social worker, who is based at The London Archives twice a week, usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Prior to sending the records out, you will be offered to meet in person at The London Archives to see your original records and go through them. This provides you with the opportunity to ask questions, ensure you are supported and not on your own when you receive the content of the records.

Given the age of our records, if you were adopted, then by adoption law, you will be required to meet with our social worker to enable you to receive your records. If you were in care, you have a choice about whether you meet with a social worker, have a telephone conversation or decline both. You will be provided with a copy of your records, either during the appointment at The London Archives or it will be posted out to you by special delivery. This is a free service.

Relatives

All our adoption and care records are closed under UK data protection legislation - this means that there are legal restrictions on who is allowed to see them.

For relatives who are supporting someone in their family to access their own adoption or care records, you are welcome to contact us. However, we require the subject of the records to make the request directly to us, albeit with your support.

For relatives seeking records of a deceased family member who was in care, we will usually only share information, on receipt of a death certificate and requested ID, with their immediate descendants (ie their son or daughter).

Social Workers

If you have an adopted or care experienced person who you think we may have records for, please contact us. If we hold records, we will ask you to complete and sign and access form and will arrange to send you a digital copy of the records.

How to Contact The London Archives

There are a number of ways to contact us. However, putting your enquiry in writing, will be the quickest way for you to obtain confirmation if we have any specific records, as we do not give that information out over the phone.