Fostering and adoption have been staples of Home and Away since the show first aired in 1988.
When Alan Bateman, the Seven Network’s Head of Drama at the time, was traveling through a small town in southern NSW, he had the concept for the show. He stopped in an ice cream shop to cool himself and began up a talk with the residents about new construction on the town’s main thoroughfare that was stirring controversy.
One homeowner predicted that it will be a haven for drug addicts, thieves, and bludgers. Alan was taken aback when he realized they were discussing a foster home, but it offered him an idea for a new show.
“[It will be] a place for druggies, thieves and bludgers,” was how one resident described it. Alan was stunned to learn they were talking about a foster home, but it gave him an idea for a new show.
There it was, my piece of life in a community, I suddenly realized. Some neighbors reacted angrily to the arrival of what they saw to be unruly children on their doorstep. Others were eager to try them out. It had all of the makings of a great drama.”
The show’s fundamental idea was quickly established, and it revolved around Tom and Pippa Fletcher and their six foster children.
Fostering is no longer front and center on Home and Away after 33 years, but it has played a crucial role in the show’s stories over the years.
Over the years, Irene (Lynne McGranger) has looked after a number of teenagers, welcome them into her home as if they were her own. Selina, Chloe, Hayley, and Nick are just a few of the foster children Irene has cared for over the years at Summer Bay.
Jett James (Will McDonald), a troubled teen with a heroin addict mother, made his debut in 2012. Gina (Sonia Todd) and John Palmer (Shane Withington) took him in after his mother died and raised him as their own.
They ultimately offered to adopt Jett, but Gina’s untimely death put the arrangements on hold, and John said he was having trouble adopting Jett on his own.
Finally, at John and Marilyn’s (Emily Simmons) wedding, Jett asked the couple to adopt him, which they did shortly after.
Now, adoption is about to become center stage once again.
Mia (Anna Samson) and Ari (Rob Kipa-Williams) have had nothing but bad luck when it comes to having a child of their own.
During their years together, they had several abortions before giving birth to a beautiful baby boy named Kauri. Kauri died tragically only a few days after her birth, leaving the couple reeling.
Ari’s reaction was profound, and he turned to a life of crime that placed him in prison for a decade. He pushed Mia and her daughter Chloe (Sam Barrett) away throughout his years in prison rather than make them wait for his release.
He moved to Summer Bay with his sister-in-law Gemma and her son Nikau after his stint in prison. Tane (Ethan Browne) ultimately joined them, and Gemma returned to New Zealand shortly after.
Nikau ran into Chloe while trekking in New Zealand by chance. Growing up, the two had been like siblings, and Chloe returned with the young Parata to Summer Bay, where Mia was searching for her wandering daughter.
She had a dramatic reunion with Ari, but the two quickly realized that their affections for one other had never completely faded, and they were soon back together and happier than ever.
When the subject of children came up, they were both concerned that it would lead to further heartache, but they agreed to try for a baby one final time. They were overjoyed, along with Chloe, when Mia became pregnant so soon, and they couldn’t wait to start a family of four.
It was a vehicle accident this time that caused them to lose the baby. Dean’s (Patrick O’Connor) car went off the road and tumbled down a hill, gravely injuring Dean and Nikau and putting an end to Mia and Ari’s baby dreams for the second time.
Mia, heartbroken over the loss of yet another child, determined that enough was enough. She couldn’t bear trying again, so she told Ari that if he couldn’t handle it, they should end their relationship.
Of course, Ari’s priorities are Mia and Chloe, and he has no intention of abandoning them once more. They’ve accepted the fact that they won’t be able to have children of their own and are looking forward to whatever the future holds for them… together!
They come up with another suggestion this week: why don’t they adopt? They’ll still get to share the experience of raising a baby if they’re paired with a child who is young enough, but without the medical risks.
They ask John to dinner because they know he’s been through the procedure and is familiar with all of the obstacles. He explains to them how difficult it was, but how well it was worth it.
But there’s one thing they haven’t thought about. Nikau, ever the optimist, reminds Ari that he has a criminal record, something the adoption agencies aren’t fond of, to say the least.
IIs their adoption dream over before it’s even begun?
This week, a casual conversation about honeymoon destinations leads Christian to make a bold suggestion: why don’t he and Tori relocate to London?
