Action on Records Access

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I was interested to read the following page on Barnardo's
website

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/fosteringandadoption/post_adoption_support/fosteringandadoption_making_connections/fosteringandadoption_making_connections-initiatives.htm

And the link that it gives to Barnardo's current access
to records service 'Making Connections'

http://www.barnardos.org.uk/fosteringandadoption/foster_adopt/adoption/post_adoption_support/fosteringandadoption_making_connections/fosteringandadoption_making_connections-contact.htm

I spent time in care with Dr Barnarndo's Homes in the early
1950s and was eventually adopted with Dr Barnardo's
adoption agency

I first asked Barnardo's for access to records about 20 years
ago, it took over 15 years and in excess of £7000 in legal
fees to obtain information that should have been forthcoming
at the outset. Several of my siblings were also adopted through
other agencies. In all I had to seek information from 9 different
agencies. At Barnardos I found some people helpful but mostly
I found some of the most offensively patronising and condescending
people I've ever had the misfortune to deal with. Of all the 9 agencies
involved Barnardos was by far and away the worst. The main
concern always at Barnardo's was individual and corporate
backside covering. It came as no surprise to me to read of the
efforts by some of those sent to Canada to sue Barnardo's for
£400,000,000. Sadly that failed due to some legal trickery on
part of Barnardo's lawyers. I would have been very pleased to
give evidence in that case as to the general attitude at Barnardo's
And indeed in any other case that may ever come to court

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LVZ/is_12_17/ai_90108597/ 

I would still be interested to hear of people's more recent experiences
whilst trying to obtain access to either adoption or care records from
Barnardo's you can contact me, Robin Harritt by e-mailing
adoptee@mac.com or telephone 01279 813303. Meanwhile I am
still tracing my natural father's family using other means of
which many would no doubt disapprove of. But what other
choice do I have when Barnardo's refuse even to talk to me
other than sending me the usual charity requests for a donation

I do have to wonder exactly what Barnardo's means when
it uses the term "across their lifespan"

Robin
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Barnardos Ireland  Barnardos New Zealand  Barnardos Australia  Barnardo's UK
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