The Adoption: Recent Episodes
BBC Radio 4
The award winning podcast. A family is being shattered; can a new one be created? A UK adoption through the eyes of those affected. Lives being changed forever.
The final episode. Lives changed forever. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"You want them to like you." It is a few weeks since Julie and Robert met their new children. "It was very unusual to be called Daddy." From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"Is that Daddy and Mummy?" The day Bethany and Ben meet their new parents for the first time. "When they come knocking on our door, you can open it and you'll know who they are." From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"That's my new family?" Telling the children who their new parents are going to be. Sharon, the social worker, returns to the foster home to show the children The Teddy Bear Adventure - Book 2. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"I'd give my life for them." Bethany and Ben's father talks about why he believes they were taken into care. “I'm really going to miss them." From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"It feels as though you're losing a part of your body." The birth family have seen Bethany and Ben for the last time. "I gave them kisses and hugs and then I went." From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
Is it a match? Usually held in private, 11 people scrutinise the proposed adoption. Will they recommend that Julie and Robert should become the new parents of Bethany and Ben? We hear some of the deliberations. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"Mummy bear and daddy bear don't know how to keep little bear safe." How do you begin to tell a two and three year old that they are being adopted? From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"I didn't expect it so soon." The birth family is told adopters have been found and to prepare for their final visit to see Bethany and Ben. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
Are they the "right children for you"? Julie and Robert hear all about their lives before they moved into foster care. The potential adopters meet 11 people who know the children well. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"It's a bit strange." Potential adopters prepare rooms for two children they have never met. They explain why they have decided to adopt, what they have learnt about adoption and what to expect. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"They've got it wrong". Bethany and Ben's mother believes her children should not have been taken away and placed for adoption. How are those decisions affecting her? From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
"I've cried myself to sleep". Ben and Bethany's father is dealing with the news that Bethany and Ben, his children, are being placed for adoption. He looks back at what happened. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel
Heartbreak. Bethany and Ben's maternal grandparents make a life changing decision. Knowing that the toddlers will be adopted, they continue to take the children on days out. How is the adoption affecting them? From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel
"They had no idea of safety or danger." Who are Bethany and Ben? Meet the children at the centre of this story. Sharon the social worker looks at their progress. From BBC Radio 4's The World at One, with Jon Manel.
With just their teddy bears and dummies in their hands, the children move into a new home. Meet Bethany and Ben's foster carer, Lucy. She tells us about the moment they arrived. From BBC Radio 4’s The World at One, with Jon Manel.
“It’s the last resort.” Bethany and Ben need new parents. That's the decision a court in England has made. Why? Sharon is leading the search for their new mum and dad. Who makes the decisions? From BBC Radio 4’s The World at One, with Jon Manel.
A real adoption as it happens. Nineteen months in the making. Introducing our unprecedented new podcast series. The first episode is coming soon. From BBC Radio 4’s The World at One, with Jon Manel.