About St. Margaret’s

About St Margaret’s Adoption

History

How it all started

With it’s roots in St Margaret’s Adoption Society which was founded in1955 by the Catholic Church in Scotland, St Margaret’s is widely recognised as a leading adoption and family care agency in Scotland and throughout the UK. Our history demonstrates how we have grown from humble beginnings to become a respected provider of services for children, young people, and families.

Our History

Since the Catholic Church founded St Margaret’s Adoption Agency in 1955, St Margaret’s is widely recognised as a leading adoption and family care agency in Scotland and throughout the UK. Our history demonstrates how we have grown from humble beginnings to become a respected provider of services for children, young people, and families and we are now the last remaining Catholic Adoption Agency in the UK.

Early Years

St Margaret’s Adoption Society was established by the Catholic Church under the auspices of a benevolent (friendly) society, which at that time was a common legal structure through which charitable activities were conducted. Approval for the Society was granted by the Town Council in 1955.

The Society’s original constitution was simple and clear in its purpose: to find loving homes for children and to support adoptive parents throughout the adoption journey. Its Trustees included the Archbishop of Glasgow and the Bishops of Motherwell, Paisley and Galloway, with practical and financial support being provided by the dioceses.

The Society began its work from a single flat at 274 Bath Street, Glasgow, which had been made available by the Church. From these modest premises, St Margaret’s established a reputation for compassion, professionalism and dedication to children in need of permanent families.

Growth and Development

As adoption practice, legislation and societal expectations evolved, so too did the organisation. In response to legal changes, the Society became a Limited Company in 1982. While its fundamental mission remained unchanged, the complexity, scope and demands of its work continued to increase.

Recognising the changing needs of children and families, it was decided that the organisation should broaden its remit beyond adoption alone. This led to the establishment of St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society.

A New Organisation for a Changing Society

St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society was incorporated on 22 January 1999. At its formation, the Society assumed responsibility for the archives and historical records of the former St Margaret’s Adoption Society, preserving the history and legacy of an organisation that had served children and families for more than four decades.

While recognising and honouring this heritage, the newly incorporated Society was established as a new and distinct organisation, designed to respond to the changing needs of children, young people and families in contemporary society. Adoption remained central to its mission, but the Society adopted a broader vision of supporting family life and promoting the wellbeing of children through a wider range of services and initiatives.

Since its incorporation, St Margaret’s Children and Family Care Society has continued to build upon the values and principles of its predecessor while adapting to changing legislation, professional standards and the diverse needs of modern families. This evolution has enabled the Society to expand its services, strengthen its impact, and support many more children and families across Scotland.

The St Margaret’s Centre for the Family

As St Margaret’s continued to develop and broaden its range of services, it became increasingly apparent that larger and more modern accommodation was required. The Society’s longstanding premises had served it well for many years, but the growth in service provision, staff, family support activities and training needs created the necessity for a purpose-built centre that could better support the organisation’s mission.

This vision was realised in November 2013 with the opening of the St Margaret’s Centre for the Family at 26 Newton Place, Glasgow. The Centre was officially opened by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Society and reflecting its confidence in the future of family support and adoption services in Scotland.

The Centre was designed to provide a welcoming, safe and family-friendly environment where children, families, adopters and professionals could meet and receive support. The facility includes dedicated meeting and counselling rooms, spaces for training and assessment activities, and areas where children and families can interact in comfort and privacy. The building also provides an effective base for staff and volunteers, enabling the Society to deliver a wider range of services and to respond more effectively to the needs of those it supports.

The opening of the Centre represented much more than a change of address. It symbolised the Society’s evolution from a traditional adoption agency into a modern children’s and family care organisation, equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. The Centre embodies the Society’s commitment to providing high-quality, person-centred services while maintaining the values of compassion, dignity, professionalism and respect that have guided its work since 1955.

Since opening its doors, the St Margaret’s Centre for the Family has become a focal point for the Society’s activities. It has enabled the expansion of support services for adoptive families, birth relatives, children and young people, while also providing a venue for training, family events, support groups and community engagement. Through these activities, the Centre has strengthened St Margaret’s ability to build lasting relationships with families and communities across Scotland.

Today, the St Margaret’s Centre for the Family stands as a visible expression of the Society’s enduring commitment to children and families. It connects more than seventy years of heritage with a forward-looking vision, ensuring that St Margaret’s remains well placed to respond to the changing needs of future generations.

A Family in Its Own Right

One of the most distinctive features of St Margaret’s is that it has evolved into a family of its own. Each year, the Society’s summer gatherings bring together adoptive families, children, adults who were adopted through the agency, staff, volunteers and supporters. These events celebrate the enduring relationships that have been formed through the Society’s work and demonstrate the strong sense of community that remains at the heart of the organisation.

The care and support shown between families, together with the commitment and vocation of staff, continue to embody the values upon which St Margaret’s was founded over seventy years ago.

A Reputation for Excellence

As a registered adoption agency, St Margaret’s has established a reputation for excellence in adoption practice. Its commitment to achieving the best outcomes for children and families has been recognised through regulatory inspection and by the Scottish Government, reflecting the high standards of care, professionalism and service delivery that continue to define the organisation today.

From a single flat in Glasgow in 1955 to a modern family care organisation serving communities across Scotland, St Margaret’s remains committed to its founding mission: placing the needs of children and families at the heart of everything it does.