The Truth About Adoption Panorama

and living in temporary State care. Less than 5% of them will be placed

for adoption this year. Do you know how long it's been? Yeah. How long?

Since I was a baby. Children wait years for the State to find them a

new family. Now, the Government wants it to take less than 12

months. Why does it take so long? Lawyers, social workers and judges

think they are protecting the young people. They are not. They are

actually severely damaging them. Conner is nearly five. He has been

in care since birth. Social workers think they've finally found him a

permanent home. He's going to become my fifth child. I love you

so much, with all my heart. birth mum is doing everything she

can to get Conner back. Everyone deserves a second chance. I've

changed now. Everyone changes. Katie and Chloe are six and nine.

Social workers are worried they are getting too old to be adopted.

Still working hard and looking for mummies and daddies. No news yet.

Do you ask people? Just a few who I think might be the right ones for

you. 10-year-old Kieran and his sisters were placed for adoption,

but it's broken down. Now they are back in foster care. I would like

to get adopted again. To see what it's like again. It could happen

twice. What is it like for children waiting and waiting to be adopted?

Do you know what adoption is? you go to one house and another

house and another house and then you live there. Then it turns into

The average age of a child being adopted is three years and ten

months. Now aged six and nine, Katie and Chloe are still waiting

for a family. They were separated from their seven-year-old sister,

Sophie, two years ago. She is already been adopted. -- she's

already been adopted How dad went in prison and our mum couldn't look

after us. Then we had to move to Elaine's then she couldn't look

after all three of us. Then we have to move to Corrine's and then she

wanted to go to work in the night. Then we moved to DI's. Katie lives

with me and Sophie lives with her new mum. Our sister was separated

and we might have to be separated. I want me and Sophie and Chloe to

live together. Sisters live together. Next question, please.

Coventry's adoption team have been looking for a new mum and dad for

Katie and Chloe for over two-and-a- half years. Social workers Rachel,

has just taken over the case. think we have to admit there has

been some drift. Drift means delay. It's delay for the children. I

think we sometimes think, oh, well, you know, it can wait a few days,

that phone call, or that visit, because we are all so busy. Also,

it's not only in social care. It's in the courts. Weeks go by, months

go by. And in a child's world that makes a huge difference. Chloe is

nearly ten. Time is ticking on. is not to laugh at me when I fall

over? Everyone. Katie and Chloe live with Di. She has fostered 114

children. Many were successfully adopted. 15 years ago she adopted

two of her own. It has changed greatly since I adopted my two

girls. It is getting better. I just get frustrated that everything

takes so long. I know that all these lawyers and social workers

and judges in court are thinking they are protecting the young

people, but they're not. They are actually severely damaging them.

The older Katie and Chloe get, the less the chance of their being

adopted. Kaich eland Di regularly meet the -- kaich eland Di

regularly meet the family -- Rachel and Di regularly meet the family

finding team to go through a check list. In the last two years 16

families were considered. None worked out. I was a bit cautious

about who exactly was going to be getting them ready in the morning

and out for school. I think for these girls it needs to be a woman.

That's what they are used to. I think they would struggle if it was

a male. Background of parents, birth. Is there any learning

disability? Yes. It's in the permanence report. A family with

animals is very important to the girls in the future. That's their

top wish list thing. They are desperate to have their own dog.

wouldn't want to rule out families at this stage who haven't got pets.

We would talk about it. What does Rachel do? She tries to get us a

mummy and daddy. Do you think she'll find one? Why not? Because

it's going to take ages. Do you know how long it's been? Yes.

long? Since I was a baby. Like most children waiting for adoption,

Katie and Chloe were removed from their parents. Since the baby B

scandal 40% more children have been re-- Baby P scandal, 40% more

children have been removed, but there has been no increase in the

number of professionals to deal with them. It's a major source of

delay. Are you all right to come and let me in. Today, social worker,

Sarah, visits David and Kirsty. Their children have been removed

and are about to be placed for adoption. They were taken into care

because of difficulties in their relationship. It was boardering on

violence between the two of them. Also, they had difficulties

understanding what a child needs to be safe and fed and just basic

childcare needs really. David and Kirsty have seen their kids every

month. Now that Coventry's found adoptive parents for them, they

won't be allowed to any more. Sarah helps them plan how they'll say

goodbye. Did you have a chat about what you might want to do for that

contact? I want to see them on the last day. I don't want them to see

me upset. I think we can go in the room and do painting and maybe like

hand prints and keep the pictures and things and then the carer will

come and pick them up. I want to make this a really - I know it's

not going to be positive - but the most positive experience, so you

have a really nice memory of being together. I want to try to keep it

as happy for everyone as we possibly can. A lot of birth

parents don't turn up for a final goodbye, because it's a kick in the

teeth. You can see why, because you've taken their children off

Here they are. It's David and Kirsty's last chance to see their

children, aged two and three. The meeting will last two hours. After

that, they are unlikely to see them again until they are adults. Do you

want to do some painting for mummy and daddy? This is for the birth

parents as much for the children and it doesn't matter what has

happened in the past. What they are about to experience is probably the

worst thing they could ever experience in their life. First

time I heard her shout mummy. Where is it going? Mummy! That's what

you've got, Hello Kitty. Press that button there. You did it that time!

Who's this? The foster carerers arrive to collect the children.

They have them another month before the children meet their new parents.

Have you had fun? Shall we get your bags? Are we going to say goodbye

to mummy and daddy and give kisses and cuddles? Go and give mummy a

kiss. Good girl. Go and give daddy a kiss. Give me a big cuddle before

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

Potentially it's the last time David and Kirsty will see their

children. Obviously, when they are older, if they make a decision that

they want to go and trace their birth family, then they can do that.

Or they might just think, "I don't Coner was removed at birth and

fostered four years ago. At one- and-a-half he was placed for

adoption at short notice. His name is Mr Happy. He's there forever.

After just two turbulent weeks, Coner was returned to foster care.

He now lives with the Wincotts. The same foster family who cared for

Coner before he was placed for adoption. He's lived with them

virtually his whole life. I had forgotten how small they are. Look.

That's Coner's first shoes. Do you remember this? Ah. Lovely. A little

photograph of JJ and Chrissie and we put it on a teddy when Coner was

adopted to take with him to cuddle in his bed. Coner has two teenage

foster sisters, Jade and Chrissie. Everyone treats him like he's part

of the family and even though he understands that my mum didn't give

birth to him, like, as much as he can understand, because he's only

four, but I love him like he's my brother anyway. Who is singing now?

Why did you do that? Sorry. I used to help my mum when Coner was a

baby. I was only 12 and I was a baby fan and I used to love him. He

was so cute. Then he left when he was one-and-a-half and that's when

I was really upset. It was a really horrible time. I don't ever want to

feel like that again. Since Coner's adoption breakdown, Coventry has

been unable to find him another permanent home. Though foster

carers the Wincotts have now decided they want to adopt him.

This is the hard copy letter to notify our intentions to adopt

Coner. We as a family have decided to formally notify you of our

intense -- intention to adopt Coner. We feel that this course of action

would be in his best interests. Very exciting! For Coner, this

could mean he could finally have a permanent family. But Coner also

has a birth mum, Kerry. Though he barely knows she exists. Kerry

hasn't given up hope. She feels her learning difficulties shouldn't

Kerry left the abusive relationship, 3 months after Conner was removed.

But after further assessments social services decided she was

unable to parent Conner on her own. Just because you go to a learning

difficulty school, you can still care for a child. My friends have

all got their kids. They are doing all right. Kerry now has a younger

son Logan. Coventry Social Services have allowed her to keep him,

because for the past for 4 years she's been in a stable and

supportive relationship with Logans father. When we found that Kerry

was pregnant, we had a choice whether to tell social services or

just do a runner. We decided after a couple of days we would tell

social services. They said, you're honest, we will help you to keep

him home. Because of Kerry's learning difficulties social

services still monitor the family regularly. She has got mild

learning difficulties but that is only reading and spelling. She is

all right at writing. I have always believed Kerry can be a mum. If I

didn't, we would not have Logan. Since Kerry's been allowed to keep

Logan she wants to see if she can get Conner back. Maybe I will get

Conner. I hope I do. I did say with Logan I would be a better mum.

Social Services have other ideas about Conner's future. Dear Kerry,

I wish to update you on Conner. I want to tell you about the adoption

plan for him as we have made a decision about his adoption.

Look. That's what they want, isn't it? I will fight them back. I will

see a solicitor tomorrow. It is stupid, really. They should have

just gave me the chance. 9 out of 10 birth parents contest the

adoption of their children. It's a frequent cause of delay. If Kerry

has a strong case, she may be able Where should I start, really?

year-old Kieran was placed for adoption with his sisters three

years ago. 138 books in my room for. Have you

read all of them? Not all of them. But two weeks ago, the adoption

broke down. Kieran and his sisters also called Katie and Chloe are

back in temporary foster care. They were going to adopt us. I would

like to get adopted again and see what it is like again. It could

happen twice. Kieran and his sisters are now living with foster

carers Mandy and Andy but it's uncertain how long they'll be

allowed to stay. The placement is only a stop gap whilst social

services decide what to do with them.

Do you remember how many placements you have had? I went into emergency

foster care. And Pam who has a foster carer as well. And then

BLEEP and then here. Are you all right? Yes. You can tell me if you

want to stop. What does that one say? Huggable like this. Frequent

moves mean the children are constantly dealing with loss.

Kieran, Katie and Chloe have not only lost their birth family,

they've just lost the new family they were promised as well. Social

workers explain what's happened to them through their life story book.

We are going to get a few laughs here because you were only little.

We have baby photos. Rachel has to cover more ground with Kieran, he's

only been seen his book once in the last three years. This is about

tummy mammies. You left hospital with your mum, Claire. Andy went to

live with her mum and dad, your nan and granddad. Do you remember them?

No. They are your grandparents. At that point, they wanted to look

after you but they thought it would not be fair to just keep you and

not your sisters and brothers. It sounds as if your birth mum, Claire,

was struggling a bit. This is your little sister, isn't it? Her foster

carer decided she was going to adopt her. So the foster carer has

adopted her? The foster carer that she lived with adopted her, yes.

She did not have to change houses? She did not have to change houses,

no. Do you think that would be easier? You would not have to pack

your bag. You would not have to pack your bag or say goodbye if

you're foster carer adopted you. It is hard, isn't it? Yes, it is hard.

When you lose something, it makes you sad, doesn't it. Especially

when you lose people. It is hard. You have been so brave, haven't

you? You are making me now -- you are making me cry now. I'm silly

Now their adoption has broken down, Rachel meets with the children's

foster carers, teachers and independent reviewing officer to

discuss what's best for them. we are in the dilemma of what to do.

Are we going to look at more foster carers or adoption. At this point,

I don't know whether the children are able to do that. The plan is

adoption. That has not changed. Within that, we have got to get the

children ready again. A Yes. could not quite believe that three

years down the line they could say I don't want them any more. I could

understand it after six weeks, when your life is turned upside down.

Emotionally, this is terrible, I cannot do this any more. But after

three years, I was gobsmacked by it. No one knows how many adoptions

break down. Almost no records of the numbers are kept, nor the

reasons why the children are returned. But state support for

adopters lasts far less than for foster carers. It is dreadful for

everybody. Absolutely awful. It is difficult for the children,

difficult for the adopters, difficult for the workers involved,

as we are about to see, difficult for birth parents as well. Clare is

Kieran, Katie and Chloe's birth mum. She hasn't seen them for four years.

She's had three other children removed but they're successfully

adopted. Like Conner's birth mum, Clare also has learning

difficulties. It will be six years December when I lost them. Chloe is

six and I have not seen her since probably her first birthday. I

don't think I heard her say her first words. I have come today

because I need to update you about Kieran, Katie and Chloe. You know I

explained in December that the doctors had not put the order in

Andy went to get some legal advice, they decided a few weeks ago that

they were not going to adopt. Which meant that, obviously, they were

not going to keep the kids. They could not stay there. They were not

going to adopt them and your kids deserve a family life, don't they,

wherever that might be. But on the other hand, it means I can share

things with you which I couldn't when they were placed for adoption.

Oh, God. Oh, my God. That is about five weeks ago. Kieran. Look at him.

I assumed they had already been adopted and I said my final goodbye.

That is as far as I knew. And then I have found that they have gone

back into foster care after so many years.

What is next for you? Hopefully I want to have contact with the three

older kids, get that planned again and go back to court and get my

three older kids back where they should be. Each day a child's in

foster care costs the state on average �150. There are 65,000 in

care in England alone. Rachel is still looking for new parents for

Katie and Chloe. It's been three years. Still working hard looking

for mummies and daddies. No leak news yet but things are happening.

Don't think I have forgotten because I have not. I have been

busy looking. It has to be the right family, doesn't it? What kind

of family? You tell me what kind of family you and Chloe should have.

dog like Ben. There is Ben over there. Do we need a mummy and a

daddy? Not a daddy. Not necessarily a daddy. We have got one. You have

got one already but you can have two daddies. How come we can't see

our mum? Well, because a long, long time ago, she thought it would be

best for you if she thought she didn't come any more. That is sad.

Why didn't she come? Because it used to upset her and it upset you.

When are we going? As soon as I find the right family. Do you ask

people? Well, you know those lovely photographs we had taken of you,

they are seen by people who are waiting to be mummies and daddies.

Not loads and loads of people, just a few who why think would be the

right ones for you. I think the children are more involved now. I'm

not necessarily sure that is a good thing. When social workers say to

the goals we are looking and then the girls here nothing else, they

just feel -- are they just have another wave of rejection which did

not happen in the past. The children were not told until there

had been matched with a family. Today Rachel's going to visit

prospective adopters who she thinks are a good match. The girls don't

know she's visiting them. They are married. They have got an allotment.

The woman is part of a string Quartet. Claire EU it is doing

handbell ringing at school currently -- Claire we is doing

handbell ringing at school. She has a growing interest in music. The

one thing on the girls wish-list which they have not got is a dog

but I think we can maybe talk about the possibility of pets in the

future. It is exciting because Katie and Chloe have waited a long

time for the day when we find the right mum and dad. It is exciting!

Go right at the roundabout, 5th exit. Turn right then you have

reached your destination. What a nice little cul-de-sac. If I am

right, it is the one with the sunflowers in the garden. A very

pretty front garden. I can't wait now to go and meet them. This is

only the 5th set of potential adopters Coventry has visited in

person for Katie and Chloe. Rachel will judge whether they can meet

the girls' needs. But the couple will also have to decide if they

Well, I've just spent a good couple of hours with the prospective

adopters and they are lovely. Lovely, lovely people. Loads of

positives. I'm very pleased. I think this could be the family for

the girls. I really do. Although Rachel is keen on the couple,

they've turned down other children in the past. They may have some

reservations. Because, Katie and Chloe have had a difficult

childhood. They have suffered neglect. Yeah, there's always the

possibility that these people might actually think maybe these aren't

the girls for us. At every stage of the process prospective adopters

can change their minds. Even when children have lived with their new

parents, their formal adoption is not guaranteed. We are going off to

McDonald's. It's Wednesday. I don't know what McDonald's is. Today, his

social worker is coming round to talk to him about his adoption

breakdown. None of us know whether Coner remembers any of it. It won't

be done in great big detail. It will just be that we tried to look

for a family for you, the right family for you and we thought we

had got them and they weren't. Then, after, she will be telling him that

this time they are really sure that they've found the right family.

does Coner's story end? He's going to become my fifth child. He is

going to stay with us forever. Wherever we go, Coner will come too.

See you in a minute. Coner's social worker doesn't want to appear on

camera, but allows us to record the session. We can't do the wrong

family again. We were really worried that we need to find the

right family. Aren't you the right family now? Yes. Guess what we

decided? What? We decided you are with the right family and we are

not looking for a right family any more because Mick and Jade and

Chrissie and Sara are going to be the right family. I'm going to stay

here? I know. That's what we decided. I don't want to go to the

judge. Do you want to go and tell dad what I told you? Yes. Dad, you

can stay here. That much. Forever? Are you staying here forever?

Brilliant. Can I have a cuddle. Coner, have you got news to tell

Jade and Chrissie? I'm staying here. Are you staying here forever?

Is thisy your sister? -- Chrissie your sister? Coner's birth mum,

Kerry, is going to her solicitor. She wants to see if she can stop

his adoption before it becomes official. The judge will have to

consider your prospect of success and what was best for Coner. One of

the things that the court has to take into account is the length of

time that Coner has been in his current placement. That's not your

fault. Coner is now five. Five in July. The plan that he be adopted

was not long after he was born. He's really been in limbo now for

quite some time. I haven't got a crystal ball and I can't tell you

what the judge is going to say, but you have to decide what to do.

going to apply against it. Kerry now has to wait for a court hearing.

The judge will decide if she has a strong enough case to oppose the

Wincotts and their application. Kieran and his sisters have been

back in temporary foster care for four months. Rachel has to make a

difficult decision about their future. Andy and Mandy are vastly

experienced and they are struggling with the three together at the

moment. They've been on placement for seven years and they are not

adopted. Realistically is it likely that there would be other adopters.

On the evidence we have seen, there would just be too much for most

people. It's always my aim to get them adopted and keep them together,

but it just seems terribly alien to me, but in their scenario, I just

see their success as being each one on their own. I know enough about

them to either agree or disagree with Melanie. I do. I don't mind.

Let's stop wasting time. We need to get on. I need to get to panel.

need to make a decision on what you know already. OK. Let's make

recommendations then. I'm struggling with the notion of

possibly splitting the children. I really am. But obviously I have to

do my job. I have to do what is best for the children and sometimes

people may not understand why we have to do some of the things that

we do do. Don't pull my head. social workers separate brothers

and sisters it doesn't necessarily mean they won't seen each other

again. The other Katie and Chloe were separated from their sister

Sophie, two years ago, but still see her in school holidays. Are you

looking forward to seeing Sophie, I am? Yep. It's a difficult decision,

but sometimes it's for the best. When you can actually see you've

made the right decision and see a child for instance a couple of

years on, who is absolutely put down roots and they are in touch

with their siblings and it's lovely. Sophie lives with her adoptive mum,

Alison, 100 miles away. We found 60 pence on the floor in my car. 20

pence each. It's strange. It's a strange situation obviously,

because they are my daughter's sisters and you do begin to feel a

sort of real family bond. It started very early on. I think it's

really grown. It's only been just over a year, but I feel very

connected to testimony actually. I feel very sort of rather protective

of them. I have two special sisters called Chloe and Katie. What is it

like when you see them? Really excited. We go and play games. We

always like messing around. We like screaming.

SREAMING They are so nice and I love them.

It's a different kind of family and I think it's what these kids are

very amazingly adaptable with. Kids do accept things more than adults,

Kieran and the other Katie and Chloe are still waiting to find out

where they are going to live. They can't go back to their birth mum,

Claire, as she doesn't have a permanent home, but they do want to

see her again. I need to re- introduce you as a person to Chloe,

so she understands that you are her birth mummy and she came out of

your mummy, not the adopter's tummy, because she was too young to

understand. Before Claire sees her children again, Rachel wants her to

write to them first. I think I would put, "I was sad." Say, "I was

sad that you had to leave your adopters." Then, "But I know you

are with lovely foster carers." Can I take a picture of you? You are a

really pretty girl. Nobody likes photographs of themselves, do they,

really? That's nice. One without glasses. One with glasses. Are you

happy with that? Yeah. Thank you very much indeed. There is your

tummy mummy. That's mummy whose tummy you were in before you were

born. What's her name? Claire. Mummy Claire. That's the lady that

wrote you the letter. Rachel goes into more detail with Kieran as

he's older and remembers Claire more. On 20th February 2001 your

name was put on the Child Protection Register. Because, "My

birth mum was mixing with risky adults. Sometimes when money was

short we slept in the car. My birth dad offered very little support to

my birth mum and he abandoned the family on numerous occasions." Can

you tell me what that means? Just left them. "Our home was piled with

dirty dishes and clothes, soiled nappies and left-over food and

other rubbish lying around. There were also dangerous equipment left

within our reach. For example, fire lighters, screwdrivers and broken

glass ." So on 22nd December 2005... Three days before Christmas. Yeah.

How old were you? Five. You had to go to the police station. -- your

mum had to go to the police station. They were arrested? Yes. This isn't

unusual with grown-ups who don't keep their house clean and get the

food in and mix with risky adults. I regret what happened. If I could

turn back time I would. I really, really would. I know where I went

wrong. That's in the past. If I could turn back time, I would.

Coner's fifth birthday. Kerry gets to write to him once a year. She

doesn't know if he gets her cards. Happy fifth birthday. I don't want

to put something that social workers won't like, so I have to

keep it settled. I want to put where I am, but I can't. I'm not

allowed to. It's to keep the social worker happy. Social services will

check that now, to see if I haven't put something that I shouldn't have

put in. # Happy birthday to you... # Coner

is spending his fifth birthday with the Wincotts. He has spent every

birthday with them since he was born. Coventry has now told the

Wincotts that keary is trying to -- keary is trying to stop the

adoption. -- Kerry is trying to stop the adoption. I said to mum,

it's obvious that he's going to be with us, because it would wreck his

life. I know it's his real mum, but he doesn't know her at all. It's

not like my mum is to him. You are powerless and your son has been

taken from you, just because of the person you are. I can't imagine

anything worse than that and the fact they are fighting to get their

son as much as they can, it's - I feel bad for them, but what's best

for Coner, it needs to be that he stays with us. It's not about them.

It's about Coner. It must be really hard for her. The mum's always had

the bond of like being in her stomach and everything. You can't

not love like your flesh and blood. But I just think that if she's like

a really good mum than she'll do what's best for Coner and not for

her. The court will decide what is It's been two months since Rachel

visited Katie and Chloe's potential new parents. Rachel has invited

them to Coventry Adoption Services to meet Di. She will tell them what

it's like to live with the girls. It makes it feel real. I feel a

little nervous. If the couple decide to proceed, they are only

one step away from meeting Katie and Chloe. This is Di. She is the

girls' foster carer. My role is to bring it all to life. Just reading

it you don't get that. You need to speak to somebody who has lived

with these children and laughed with them and rolled on the floor

with them. Cooked cakes with them or whatever to really, really bring

them to life. Even though Di can't say anything to the girls, she has

to make sure they are ready for a I took the girl shopping and I said

it was a new outfit for winter and she said she would rather save it

so she could wear it when she met her new family. That has all been

put away ready for when she is introduced. So, yes, she is

definitely ready. After four hours of discussing Katie and Chloe, the

prospective adopters have made a decision. Very, very positive. Lots

of smiles and lots of laughter. A few tears but, yes, this is the

right family for these girls. So that is it. I just wish I could go

home and tell the girls but I have got to wait. What a fantastic

secret to be holding. What a fantastic secret. It is wonderful.

Katie and Chloe are getting closer to having a new mum and dad. But

the match still needs to be approved by Coventry's Adoption

Coner is still waiting to find out if the Wincotts will be his

permanent family. Kerry is going to court to see if she can stop them

from taking the final step in becoming his legal parents. I hate

my her. Today could be her last chance. Are you not even ready yet?

No. Five minutes until the taxi comes. Five years. Five years I

have been waiting for this. What do you think is going to happen?

won't get him. I have got a feeling I won't get him. Jesus Christ, shut

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

Coventry has told Saraina to stay at home and wait for a call. I can

understand why mum is contesting because I think if I was in her

shoes, it is that final plea that shows Coner when he is older that

she always loved him and that was never up for question that she has

always loved him and she is putting this final plea in to say, I tried.

I did try to get you back. I think he is very aware of what is

going on. Because, obviously, the social worker has told him. We have

all told him today that the wise judge is hopefully making the

decision that he will be able to to stay here for ever but we cannot

finish hour sentence without him shouting, I am staying here! As far

as I can workout, there have been in court for two hours and 10

minutes. I don't know how long these things take but to me it

You say. You are good at explaining. It went all right. Over the moon! I

am happy. It has been adjourned because social services did not

follow protocol for the adoption for Coner to be adopted by the

foster carers. They will probably still be looking after him until

the final adoption placement but I do not think they will be adopting

him. Now someone has to go and tell the Wincotts what happened today.

do feel sorry for Saraina because she has looked after him. You do

have to feel sorry but not too much. Hello. It is. Oh, hello, Paul, any

news? Right, OK. Not good news? Right. Right, OK. Right. How long

do you think that is going to take? OK. When do you think you will be

coming because he comes out of school at 3 o'clock. No comment it

is fine. Just get here as quick as you can because I am having my own

personal nervous breakdown here. OK, lovely. Thanks, Paul. Goodbye.

What? What happened? The court guardian later came to tell Coner

of the delay. It will be months before the judge makes a decision.

But for Kieran and his sisters the day has finally come when they'll

see their mum for the first time in four years.

Did you ever think you would see them come home from school? Never.

No way. I did not think that at all. I am going to give them the biggest

hug and kiss of my life. I really Do the three older kids go to the

same school which they originally did with the adoptive family?

It is pointless them moving to a You're not allergic to cats, are

you? I forgot to ask you. They have Hello. This is clever. Hello, nice

to meet you. It is a long time since you have seen them. About

four years since I have seen them but six years since they first left

me. Clare waits at the house with Rachel, while foster dad Andy

collects the children from school. Are you all right? A bit scared

Oh here we go. That is Katie. I told you she couldn't wait to see

you. Let me have your coffee. You will be fine. Hello. It is obvious

who is who. Isn't it? You are a bit lost foreword us all of you. Clare

and the kids have just half an hour together. Rachel is there to make

Have a hug. This is a picture of May. The kids have collected

mementos from the past four years to share with Clare. You sent me a

letter. That his school. That is from leavers Assembly. They give

out stickers for attendance and I got 99.5 %. That is really good.

What is your favourite subject? Science. Science? I remember that

one. Beautiful princess. Lovely, We are going to finish up so Mandy

can get your tea on and I will get I look forward to seeing you again

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 40 seconds

Can you see over there, clearly? have got a really good view.

had better come in and tell me a. We have got a new mummy and daddy.

Congratulations! They have two spare bedrooms but there is