‘Wanted: A Family of My Own’ is a new four-part adoption series, presented by Nicky, which follows the searches of people wanting to become adoptive parents. It started on Thursday 24 April and continues on 1, 8, 15 May on ITV.
The programme followed a couple on their journey to adoption, and a second couple fostering a baby who is awaiting a permanent family to adopt him.
Coram CEO, Dr Carol Homden, CBE, said: “This important series has already brought into sharp focus how essential it is for young children in particular to be found a permanent home in which they can grow up and thrive as early as possible.
“Children needing adoption are from vulnerable backgrounds and need consistent carers to support their emotional and physical well being.
“Those interested in adoption and in looking after younger children in particular should contact Coram’s concurrent planning service, which offers a unique opportunity to care for a child from its earliest days.”
The programme also featured Adoption Activity Days, which give adopters a chance to meet children needing a new adoptive family.
Coram’s adoption partnership with Kent County Council have held successful Activity Days, with nearly a quarter of children attending one event being matched with potential new parents.
Nicky, who spoke exclusively to First4Adoption, the national information service for people interested in adopting, said: “I learned there’s a lot of people working in adoption, such as social workers, who do the most amazing job. Everyone’s moving in the same direction and wants to help these amazing children find loving permanent homes. When that happens it’s the most magical thing.”
Gemma Gordon Johnson, of First4Adoption said: ” We hope that by helping viewers to have a better understanding of just some of the many children who are in need of an adoptive family across the country, that this new programme will encourage more people to get in touch with us to find out how they could give a child the love and security they so desperately need.”
The First4Adoption team is gearing up for a busy month of enquiries as the series will be directing viewers interested in adoption to First4Adoption’s website and telephone information line. First4Adoption is also working with many adoption agencies to help them prepare for the increased interest.
About the series
Across the UK, thousands of children are waiting for a family of their own. The series follows the searches of people desperate to become parents, and children who have suffered the toughest of starts in life, as they create new families through adoption.
It follows the entire adoption process, from prospective parents’ meetings with social workers to the moment a child leaves their foster carers for life in an adoptive family. The series features a gay couple who thought they would never become parents, a single mum adopting for the third time, a baby boy who was born addicted to crack cocaine and couples who, after struggling with infertility, are finally getting close to having families of their own.
• The series has been made by Wall to Wall, one of the country’s leading independent production companies, which also produce Long Lost Family and Who Do You Think You Are?
• The production team worked in partnership with eight local authorities to gain unprecedented access to the adoption process: Bournemouth, Cheshire West and Chester, Edinburgh, Somerset, Southwark, Southend-on-Sea, Stoke-on-Trent, and Surrey.
• The series producer is Claire Lewis, the producer for the critically acclaimed 7Up series.
During the making of the programme, Wall to Wall producers sought advice from various organisations including First4Adoption (run by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, Coram and Adoption UK), the British Association of Adoption and Fostering and the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies. They also employed childcare consultant Shelagh Beckett to advise them. Shelagh has over 20 years’ experience of working in child care, child protection, fostering and adoption television programmes including: Love is Not Enough: the journey to adoption, Love is Not Enough: the journey after adoption and Protecting our Children.