Watch :
Availability:
10 months left to watch (or download at BBC iPlayer).
Last broadcast on Wed, 14 Dec 2011, 21:00 on BBC One.
Synopsis
Adoption is now high on the political agenda as the best option for the 65,000 children in care. But, with less than 5% actually placed for adoption, children must wait an average two years and seven months for a permanent family. Why does it take so long? What is the human cost?
This Panorama Special follows six children in Coventry waiting to be adopted over six months. Some have waited five years. Others were returned after almost three years with prospective adopters. One child, then aged 18 months, was returned after just two weeks. This film addresses the hidden cost of adoption breakdown. In all cases, the children's pain and longing is tangible.
The sisters waiting for a family
Katie and Chloe have been waiting their whole lives for the state to find them a family.
Aged six and nine, they are just two of about 65,000 children in care in Britain. On average, a child in care waits two years and seven months to be adopted.
Should everyone be allowed to have children?
The care system is letting down a growing number of British children whose birth parents cannot or will not support them and who have little chance of successful adoption, argues the distinguished documentary film-maker, Roger Graef, in this analysis.
Credits
- Director
- Clare Johns
- Producer
- Clare Johns
- Executive Producer
- Roger Graef
Broadcast
-
Wed 14 Dec 201121:00
© 2012~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~){kind=small}