they provide extra layers of protection. the omicron variant has now spread to at least 89 countries. the world health organization says cases are doubling worldwide every three days. british holidaymakers are forced to cancel trips as france imposes tight travel restrictions on those arriving from the uk. a frantic search for survivors is underway in the philippines after at least 31 people are killed by typhoon rai. sportsday will be coming up shortly. before that, though, jeremy cooke explores the world of adoption and why so many children are being left in the care system. shall we go to the park? adoption changes children's lives. just gets funnier, cuter. she's a proper little person. oh, yeah. it rewrites their futures. 0ur role is really important in getting those children theirforeverfamily. but adoption numbers have fallen dramatically. we need to be doing much, much more to find homes for these children. but why are more and more kids waiting to be adopted? we're going to be catching up with three families who've all taken on so—called hard to place children. and they're all stories of love and of hope. when adoption goes well, it can look like this. it looks like a family because it is. getting brothers and sisters, sibling groups adopted into the same family is one of the problems. but cara and gordon were up for it. we decided we wanted to adopt siblings. yes. so we knew that straight away... they'd already agreed to adopt their two boys, lucas and dillon, who were three and one. then their social worker told him there was a twist. she just said, "i think you need to sit down." and then she says, "i need to let you know that there's a baby girl, as well." so before we'd even got two, we went up to three. that baby girl was faye. and seven again, and seven again. and this became an instant family. do you feel like a family? yeah. 11096. you sure look like a family. yeah. i think both of us felt a bond with them and they were our children, you know. absolutely no question at all. they were our children. you know, we were a family. all of the kids know their history. no secrets, no surprises waiting to be sprung. that's me there, and that's lucas, and that's daddy, and that's - faye in a pushchair. so, you have a family, - a normal family, and sometimes you get taken away, _ because sometimes they're mean or something, and then you get taken to a different family. _ kind of great. kind of. it's hard to think that lucas... cut into circles. ..atjust three years old, had been getting to the age where children can be hard to place. if we hadn't adopted them, they weren't going to be adopted as a pair any more. they were going to be split up. it needs to go in there, darling. hard to imagine him without all of this. if we hadn't adopted him, i think he was going into long term foster care. yeah, yeah. i think that was kind of the next plan. only three and a half, which is not very old, really. it's heartbreaking, isn't it? you need flour because otherwise it's all going to stick. heartbreaking because for so many children adoption just never happens. their young lives are spent in care. every single one of those is a tragedy. those is a child that doesn't have a permanent family home. it's not creating families for parents who can't have children. it's creating families for children who don't have a stable family of their own. where's my goal? i don't know. i wanted to give a child a home, a child who didn't have a home and otherwise might not have a home. chloe is special. yes, goal! a single mum, she was unfazed by worries like ethnicity and learning delays that can be obstacles on the road to adoption. and she was happy to take an older child. i was finding that there were hundreds of profiles of children, and then you don't really know where to start. can you remember what baby swans are called? cygnets. cygnets, well done. chloe found her lad almost immediately. nine months later, she was his mum. he was a four—year—old who'd lived with foster carers all of his life. ijust walked into the room and played with him, and he went, "hiya" for mummy. and then that was it. that was five years ago. does any part of you wish that you'd found him sooner? we're both sad that we missed out one all those years together because actually he was ready to be adopted when he was nine months old. and so that's a really long time to wait, and it's a long time for me to think i missed out on his life. you seem happy. yeah, very happy. get a little bit of information about this little one and we can go from there about what we do. it's in ordinary offices like this that life journeys are rerouted. we've already sorted it out. at one adoption agency, they're on a mission to find the right homes, they call them forever homes, for the kids who so badly need a fresh start. a bit of a snapshot... chloe is a family finder, and every one of her computer prevails as a child that she's come to know and care about. child that she's come to know and care about-— care about. this one says he is a ha - care about. this one says he is a happy baby. _ care about. this one says he is a happy baby. always _ care about. this one says he is a happy baby, always has - care about. this one says he is a happy baby, always has a - care about. this one says he is a happy baby, always has a smilel care about. this one says he is a i happy baby, always has a smile to share. a .,,, happy baby, always has a smile to share. �* . .,,, ., happy baby, always has a smile to share. ~ . .,,, ., , ., share. across the other side of the room, share. across the other side of the room. the — share. across the other side of the room, the other _ share. across the other side of the room, the other half— share. across the other side of the room, the other half of _ share. across the other side of the room, the other half of the - share. across the other side of the i room, the other half of the adoption agency. fix. room, the other half of the adoption auen . ~ ., ., room, the other half of the adoption auen .~ ., ., , room, the other half of the adoption aen ,�* ., ., agency. a lot of stability about their homes _ agency. a lot of stability about their homes and _ agency. a lot of stability about their homes and finances. - agency. a lot of stability about their homes and finances. i . agency. a lot of stability about l their homes and finances. i have agency. a lot of stability about - their homes and finances. i have got a good _ their homes and finances. i have got a good feeling about this one. they are working — a good feeling about this one. they are working to _ a good feeling about this one. they are working to find _ a good feeling about this one. t�*yuez are working to find and recruit a good feeling about this one. tieg are working to find and recruit the right parents looking for the perfect match. find right parents looking for the perfect match.— right parents looking for the perfect match. and our role is really important _ perfect match. and our role is really important in _ perfect match. and our role is really important in getting - perfect match. and our role is i really important in getting those children— really important in getting those children therefore every family and giving _ children therefore every family and giving them much better life chances than they— giving them much better life chances than they would a as he looked after child and _ than they would a as he looked after child and a _ than they would a as he looked after child and a local authority care. put simply, they are looking for more parents who can give a home to a hard to place a child. the challenge _ a hard to place a child. the challenge for _ a hard to place a child. the challenge for to _ a hard to place a child. the challenge for to find - a hard to place a child. tue challenge for to find those families for those children who we know need adoption, who are probably waiting the longest. recruitment is one of our key priorities. we are looking for people who can come forward, who are resilient, and who can parent those children who have often experienced early adversity in young lives. . , , experienced early adversity in young lives. ., , , ., , ., ., lives. early adversity means trauma, and trauma — lives. early adversity means trauma, and trauma leaves _ lives. early adversity means trauma, and trauma leaves its _ lives. early adversity means trauma, and trauma leaves its mark. - lives. early adversity means trauma, and trauma leaves its mark. is - lives. early adversity means trauma, and trauma leaves its mark. is that i and trauma leaves its mark. is that aood? and trauma leaves its mark. is that good? these _ and trauma leaves its mark. is that good? these guys _ and trauma leaves its mark. is that good? these guys know— and trauma leaves its mark. is that good? these guys know all- and trauma leaves its mark. is that good? these guys know all about i good? these guys know all about that. but good? these guys know all about that- but for _ good? these guys know all about that. but for children _ good? these guys know all about that. but for children like - good? these guys know all about that. but for children like lucas, | that. but for children like lucas, being surrounded by a stable, loving family can help make it possible to process the difficult times that came before.— process the difficult times that came before. , ., �* ., came before. they don't look after ou, and came before. they don't look after you. and then _ came before. they don't look after you, and then you _ came before. they don't look after you, and then you do _ came before. they don't look after you, and then you do not - came before. they don't look after you, and then you do not get - came before. they don't look after you, and then you do not get fed i came before. they don't look after| you, and then you do not get fed at all, you get dirty nappies all the time, and then you just have a bad house. and then you have got to live with that. well, for me it was two years. with that. well, for me it was two ears. , , ., ., years. 0k, let me help you, darling. for all adopted _ years. 0k, let me help you, darling. for all adopted kids, _ years. 0k, let me help you, darling. for all adopted kids, trauma - years. 0k, let me help you, darling. for all adopted kids, trauma has - for all adopted kids, trauma has consequences. for years, for all adopted kids, trauma has consequences. foryears, may be for all adopted kids, trauma has consequences. for years, may be for a lifetime. ~ , a lifetime. will feel 0k? everyday comes with _ a lifetime. will feel 0k? everyday comes with its _ a lifetime. will feel 0k? everyday comes with its challenges. - a lifetime. will feel 0k? everyday comes with its challenges. villa . comes with its challenges. villa michael— comes with its challenges. villa michael they have got trauma that has been — michael they have got trauma that has been caused by various different events _ has been caused by various different events. ~ . . , has been caused by various different events. ~ . .,, has been caused by various different events. ~ . ., events. which has impacted on them without a shadow _ events. which has impacted on them without a shadow of _ events. which has impacted on them without a shadow of a _ events. which has impacted on them without a shadow of a doubt. - events. which has impacted on them without a shadow of a doubt. back i events. which has impacted on them without a shadow of a doubt. back at the adoption — without a shadow of a doubt. back at the adoption agency, _ without a shadow of a doubt. back at the adoption agency, the _ the adoption agency, the professionals tell us that trauma is common to every child who needs to be adopted. every case they deal with. ,, . , be adopted. every case they deal with. ,, ., ., , ., ., be adopted. every case they deal with. ,, ., , ., ., ., be adopted. every case they deal with. ,, ., ., , ., ., ., ., with. she has already had a lot of trauma and _ with. she has already had a lot of trauma and a _ with. she has already had a lot of trauma and a lot _ with. she has already had a lot of trauma and a lot of _ with. she has already had a lot of trauma and a lot of loss - with. she has already had a lot of trauma and a lot of loss in - with. she has already had a lot of trauma and a lot of loss in her. trauma and a lot of loss in her life. at three and a half, she has lived in several places already. they stress you are that adoption is a last resort when it is just not possible, may be not safe for a child to stay with their birth family. some children have left in chaos, even with violence.- family. some children have left in chaos, even with violence. there is lots of criminal _ chaos, even with violence. there is lots of criminal proceedings. - chaos, even with violence. there is lots of criminal proceedings. she . lots of criminal proceedings. she had really— lots of criminal proceedings. she had really significant domestic violence _ had really significant domestic violence. , ., violence. there is growing recognition _ violence. there is growing recognition that _ violence. there is growing recognition that trauma i violence. there is growing i recognition that trauma can violence. there is growing - recognition that trauma can begin in utero, even before a child is born. get these bits.— get these bits. beat b and louis, and their daughter _ get these bits. beat b and louis, and their daughter read. - get these bits. beat b and louis, and their daughter read. anotherj and their daughter read. another example of a potential party placed elbow any happy family. it all started with an e—mail from sophie at the adoption agency. you'll michael beer got an e—mail with a grainy photo, with a sentence about red. ~ ., ~' grainy photo, with a sentence about red. ~ ., ~ ., grainy photo, with a sentence about red. . ., 4' ., 4' ., grainy photo, with a sentence about red. ~ ., ~ ., ~ ., ., red. would we like to know more? that was it, _ red. would we like to know more? that was it, we _ red. would we like to know more? that was it, we phoned _ red. would we like to know more? that was it, we phoned sophie - red. would we like to know more? | that was it, we phoned sophie that minute and said yes. she is ours. that instant connection. ladle minute and said yes. she is ours. that instant connection.— that instant connection. we both started crying- — that instant connection. we both started crying. you'll— that instant connection. we both started crying. you'll michael- started crying. you'll michael right, — started crying. you'll michael right, tell everyone! we just started _ right, tell everyone! we just started crying. we were like, this is how. _ started crying. we were like, this is how. this — started crying. we were like, this is how, this is our daughter. they are not comfortable, _ is how, this is our daughter. tieg are not comfortable, that is fine. we did not know if you would ever walk, they were not sure if she would ever talk. she walk, they were not sure if she would ever talk.— walk, they were not sure if she would ever talk. walk, they were not sure if she - would ever talk._ her would ever talk. she has got... her e es would ever talk. she has got... her eyes move- — would ever talk. she has got... her eyes move- you — would ever talk. she has got... her eyes move. you guys _ would ever talk. she has got... her eyes move. you guys took - would ever talk. she has got... her eyes move. you guys took her - would ever talk. she has got... her eyes move. you guys took her on i would ever talk. she has got... her- eyes move. you guys took her on when ou knew eyes move. you guys took her on when you knew that- — eyes move. you guys took her on when you knew that. and _ eyes move. you guys took her on when you knew that. and the _ eyes move. you guys took her on when you knew that. and the l _ eyes move. you guys took her on when you knew that. and the l word, - eyes move. you guys took her on when you knew that. and the l word, the - you knew that. and the l word, the love words, you said it was love at first sight. love words, you said it was love at first siuht. . , love words, you said it was love at first siuht. ,, , , love words, you said it was love at first sight-— first sight. she “ust gets funnier, cuter. first sight. she “ust gets funnier, cuent she — first sight. she “ust gets funnier, cuter. she is _ first sight. she “ust gets funnier, cuter. she is a — first sight. she just gets funnier, cuter. she is a proper _ first sight. she just gets funnier, cuter. she is a proper little - cuter. she is a proper little person. cuter. she is a proper little erson. ., ., , cuter. she is a proper little erson. ., ., ., person. cheat has a real personality- _ person. cheat has a real personality. they - person. cheat has a real personality. they just i person. cheat has a real. personality. theyjust love person. cheat has a real- personality. theyjust love her, person. cheat has a real— personality. theyjust love her, she is so _ personality. theyjust love her, she is so funny — personality. theyjust love her, she is so funny |t— personality. they 'ust love her, she is so funny.— personality. they “ust love her, she is so funny._so- is so funny. it is hard not to. so oroud. is so funny. it is hard not to. so proud- quack— is so funny. it is hard not to. so proud. quack quack. _ is so funny. it is hard not to. so proud. quack quack. this - is so funny. it is hard not to. so proud. quack quack. this is - is so funny. it is hard not to. so proud. quack quack. this is a i is so funny. it is hard not to. so - proud. quack quack. this is a modern famil . proud. quack quack. this is a modern family- adoption _ proud. quack quack. this is a modern family. adoption is _ proud. quack quack. this is a modern family. adoption is changing - proud. quack quack. this is a modern family. adoption is changing and - family. adoption is changing and these days children are told about their full life story. there these days children are told about theirfull life story. there is ongoing contact with birth families and few restrictions. 0ne ongoing contact with birth families and few restrictions. one who can adopt. every kind of family is needed. tia adopt. every kind of family is needed. ., ., ., , ., needed. no one battled an eyelid at red havini needed. no one battled an eyelid at red having two _ needed. no one battled an eyelid at red having two months, _ needed. no one battled an eyelid at red having two months, it _ needed. no one battled an eyelid at red having two months, it was - needed. no one battled an eyelid at red having two months, it wasjust i red having two months, it wasjust part of the process. red having two months, it was “ust part of the processfi part of the process. everything we have done up _ part of the process. everything we have done up to _ part of the process. everything we have done up to now, _ part of the process. everything we have done up to now, this - part of the process. everything we have done up to now, this is - part of the process. everything we have done up to now, this is what| part of the process. everything we i have done up to now, this is what we have done up to now, this is what we have got— have done up to now, this is what we have got to _ have done up to now, this is what we have got to show for it. gf have done up to now, this is what we have got to show for it.— have got to show for it. of course, it is not easy- _ have got to show for it. of course, it is not easy- i _ have got to show for it. of course, it is not easy. i will— have got to show for it. of course, it is not easy. i will check- have got to show for it. of course, it is not easy. i will check in - it is not easy. i will check in an a it is not easy. i will check in anyway because _ it is not easy. i will check in anyway because i _ it is not easy. i will check in anyway because i am - it is not easy. i will check in anyway because i am too i it is not easy. i will check in i anyway because i am too nosy it is not easy. i will check in - anyway because i am too nosy not to! but the families we have been with have all taken on so called hard to place kids with no regrets. young i will not ever say to anybody and adopt an older child, i would say your research, and then do it. there is a fresh piece to tackle falling numbers of adoptions from care, that means a drive to recruit more mums and dads for adoption.— and dads for adoption. anyone can ado ot, and dads for adoption. anyone can ado-t, as and dads for adoption. anyone can adopt. as long _ and dads for adoption. anyone can adopt. as long as _ and dads for adoption. anyone can adopt, as long as you _ and dads for adoption. anyone can adopt, as long as you can - and dads for adoption. anyone can adopt, as long as you can provide | adopt, as long as you can provide stability and a loving safe environment. anyone can literally adopt. t environment. anyone can literally ado ot. ., environment. anyone can literally adot, ., , ., environment. anyone can literally ado-t. ., ., ., environment. anyone can literally adot. ., ., ., it environment. anyone can literally adopt— it is i adopt. i am starting again. it is hard to think _ adopt. i am starting again. it is hard to think of _ adopt. i am starting again. it is hard to think of anything - adopt. i am starting again. it is hard to think of anything more | hard to think of anything more fundamental, more vital than providing a child with a secure and loving home. t do providing a child with a secure and loving home-— providing a child with a secure and loving home. i do feel that we are a really strong _ loving home. i do feel that we are a really strong family. _ loving home. i do feel that we are a really strong family. i _ loving home. i do feel that we are a really strong family. i think- loving home. i do feel that we are a really strong family. i think we - really strong family. i think we have _ really strong family. i think we have such _ really strong family. i think we have such a tight bond. all of us. i can't _ have such a tight bond. all of us. i can't imagine life without them. i really— can't imagine life without them. i really can't — hello. thanks forjoining us on sportsday this evening. lots of covid cancellations but plenty still to pack into the programme. another batting collapse and another ashes test match slipping from england's grasp. just one game in the premier league today. arsenal piling the misery onto a depleted leeds. cardiff were missing 42 players against harlequins in the champions cup. we'll show you how they fared. just one place to start, then, and that's adelaide — where england's hopes of winning the second ashes test match faded with the south australian light. another batting collapse has gifted the home side a huge lead going into day four of the day night test match. we'll have reaction to come but first patrick gearey rounds up the best of the day's play. don't look down. the view ahead of the three was that england were on a precipice. the match, perhaps the series on the edge. joe root came out dancing. these were conditions ideal for batting. out dancing. these were conditions idealfor batting. root out dancing. these were conditions ideal for batting. root and dawid malan seemed capable of doing lots of it. no wickets in the first session, the englishman in adelaide out of hiding. just as those at home woke up and checked their phone... edged and gone! jae woke up and checked their phone... edged and gone!— edged and gone! joe root left the conversation. _ edged and gone! joe root left the conversation. that _ edged and gone! joe root left the conversation. that touch - edged and gone! joe root left the conversation. that touch move i edged and gone! joe root left the| conversation. that touch move the match. shelley had dismissed officially the best batter in the world. the rest would not be a problem. that was milan going to starc 480. and this was 0llie pope, prodding at nathan lion on five. whenjos butler met his own starc end, england had lost 4—19. and we were watching repeat. when it ended, england were still 237 runs behind. australia's attack was supposed to be weakened. the aussies didn't have to bat again but chose to, sensing it probably was not as difficult as it probably was not as difficult as it had just been made to look. they finished 45—1, a long way ahead. those who followed england, sang on regardless, but this might have been the day the music stopped. so this is the state of play when they get under way in the early hours of the morning. australia 282 runs ahead, with nightwatchman michael neser alongside opener marcus harris.