A Lancaster University researcher has made public a redacted version of his confidential in-depth report into a baby who died at a Kendal mother and baby home at the centre of the historic forced adoption scandal. The Diocese of Carlisle has subsequently responded, welcoming its referral to police
Dr Michael Lambert of Lancaster Medical School has unearthed archival evidence from official records of the circumstances surrounding the birth, life and death of Stephen Holt at St Monica’s maternity home in Kendal in 1964.
Stephen’s mother was 17-year-old Judith Holt who, because she was pregnant outside marriage, was sent to a home for unmarried mothers by a local church social worker from her home in Penwortham, near Preston.
Her son Stephen was born on 13th January 1964, living for eleven weeks, before dying from spina bifida and hydrocephalus on 3rd April 1964. After decades of living with the loss of her son in secret, in 2006 Judith tragically took her own life in her car close to where her baby son was buried in Parkside Cemetery, Kendal.
She was one of thousands of unmarried mothers who gave birth at mother and baby homes, run by religious organisations across Britain. Dr Lambert’s research has shown how difficult it was for an unmarried mother at that time to keep her baby given the lack of financial support, housing and childcare, with adoption typically presented as the only option, often said to be in the best interests of the child.
In 2021, a UK parliamentary report estimated that 185,000 babies were forcibly separated from their mothers in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976. It recognised the abuses that took place in mother and baby homes, classifying these practices, as well as those for the adoption of infants and babies, as clear violations of human rights, recommending that the Government should issue a formal apology.
These unaddressed concerns may have contributed to Stephen’s poor care and can be seen in relation to the reasons for other infant deaths and stillbirths in the home over time.
Doctor Michael Lambert
Dr Lambert said: “Whilst resident Judith was expected to participate in the domestic life of the home before birth which entailed cleaning, polishing, laundry, preparing knitted garments for the child, participation in religious worship, and some time for leisure and rest. This regime was prescriptive and routinised, overseen by the Superintendent, Elsie M. Stannard.”
Dr Lambert’s research revealed that between 1938 and 1965, when Miss Elsie M. Stannard was the Superintendent of St Monica’s, there were – including Stephen Holt – 44 recorded infant deaths and at least 43 recorded stillbirths recorded for mothers at the home. He identified ‘clear failure of governance’ from the religious organisations which oversaw the home and associated social work with unmarried mothers from both Carlisle Diocese and the Church of England.
In his report, he said the local health authorities which funded St Monica’s as part of the National Health Service had been concerned about the quality and availability of maternity care provided but nothing was done.
“These unaddressed concerns may have contributed to Stephen’s poor care and can be seen in relation to the reasons for other infant deaths and stillbirths in the home over time. Stephen was born with meningo-myelocele (spina bifida), a congenital clinical condition where the neural tubes fail to close in utero during foetal development, leaving portions visible or exposed.”
“This condition made him less desirable for adoption by prospective adoptive couples and may have influenced how he was subsequently managed by Miss Stannard, other staff who worked in the home, and outside medical expertise.”
• Read the report here (PDF format)
Diocese of Carlisle Statement – St Monica’s Maternity Home
The Diocese of Carlisle has welcomed the report being passed to Cumbria Constabulary in connection with allegations of historical abuse, centring on the former St Monica’s maternity home in Kendal.
“Since September 2023, when we were first made aware of accounts of historical abuse, we have worked hard to provide support and agency to those affected, whilst also working alongside partner organisations including Cumbria Constabulary,” the Diocese states. “We continue to offer our heartfelt apologies to those people affected by accounts of malpractice at the home, which closed in 1970. Their testimonies are truly shocking, and our prayers remain with all those affected, directly or indirectly.
“We recognise the bravery of Stephen Hindley who has long campaigned on behalf of his wife, Judith, and her baby boy Stephen Holt. Over the last two years we have been able to work closely with Mr Hindley and recognise his vital work in ensuring victims’ and survivors’ voices are not lost.
“Whatever records we hold about St Monica’s have been shared in full with research fellow Dr Michael Lambert from the University of Lancaster. We thank him for his detailed work in compiling the report which focuses on baby Stephen’s life and death and which is to be handed to Cumbria Constabulary. We are committed to work with full transparency in support of any subsequent police investigation. Each child and mother at St Monica’s deserved the utmost care. One avoidable death was one too many. Cruel or incompetent practice should have been prevented. Any behaviour which countered this was reprehensible.
“There may be other people who have connections to St Monica’s Home and who been affected by issues raised here and need further support. They can contact Head of Safeguarding and Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, Joanna Van Lachterop, on 07458 016884 or at safeguarding.adviser@carlislediocese.org.uk. Alternatively, people may wish to contact Safe Spaces, a free and independent support service for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England. Safe Spaces can be contacted by telephone on 0300 303 1056 or via email at safespaces@firstlight.org.uk. Meanwhile, there may also be some people who have connections to St Monica’s and have queries about access to Diocesan records held about St Monica’s. Please contact Bishop’s Chaplain Ali Ng at bishopschaplain@carlislediocese.org.uk.”