As we march into June we thought we'd have a little palette cleanser before we get into what is likely to be a full on schedule through June with us speaking to Josh McAllister from the Care Review and the Children's Minster Will Quince. We catch up on the start of school holidays for Scott and family, a few thoughts on the recently released Care Review (though we're keeping our powder dry on that one) and some of the other news that's been floating around. Unusually, Al shares how and why he became a social worker and the surprising upshot of his annual traumatic appraisal. 
True to form we totally forgot it was pride months so didn't even mention it. Finally, we give the worst advert in the world to the IAC conference as we were asked to mention it, details here. 
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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Episode 139 - Bits, bobs, Annual Appraisals and Bantz

Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering

Kids & Family

Parenting

Hello and welcome to this edition of conversations from the A&F network. 
In this episode I speak to adult adoptee and birth mom to a child who was adopted Anne Peshka. Anne lives in Florida and share her story of being adopted, the experience of giving up one of her children to adoption and two stories of reunion. It’s a story that raises lots of questions and Anne is a remarkable woman in terms of her fortitude and resilience. 
You can visit Anne's website here.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, the app formerly known as Twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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Conversations - Anne, adult adoptee and birth mom.

Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F Network. 
Well, just before we pressed record an election was announced in the UK in what was pretty poor timing for Adoption UK and their Barometer. We unpick both things and consider the impact of a change of government on the landscape as well as reflect on the release of the Barometer and the finding it highlights this year. You can read the Barometer here.
We also discuss touch on the recent speech by Sir Andrew McFarlane at the recent potato conference. You can read that here. 
Here's the link for the event Scott is doing in with Dads and Barnardos Ireland.  
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, the app formerly known as Twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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Episode 188 - Elections and Barometers

Hello and welcome to this edition of conversations from the A&F network. 
In this episode I speak Adoptive parent Matt, he shares his experience, with his partner, of adoption. It was a complicated and challenging path having to change agency mid assessment. They are now parents and Matt is open and honest thoughout this interview.  
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, the app formerly known as Twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
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Conversations - Adoptive Parent Matt

Hello and welcome to the A&F podcast. 
In this episode we welcome Professor Laura Machin from the Lancaster University. She is an an adult adoptee, adopter and academic and has set up Adopters Advocacy who seek to "highlight the voices and needs of adopters during the adoption process and after a child has been placed, without diminishing the importance of adoptees and their birth families.". 
Before we get into the heart, vision and work that they do we dance lightly across the latest hot topics and issues in the news. It was a cracking chat and we had a wonderful hour with Laura whose passion and enthusiasm for the research and work was infectious.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, fostering or special guardianship from any perspective personal or professional and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook page, the app formerly known as Twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
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Episode 187 - An interview with Laura Machin founder of Adopter Advocacy

Hello and welcome to this episode of the Better Me Better Us Podcast with Vicki and Hayley.
It’s the start of GCSE exams so we talk about how to support our children and young people through this difficult time. We also highlight Foster Carers week and the amazing work that they do every month not just in May.
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Instagram- BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Twitter – BMBUltd
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk

Episode 139 - Bits, bobs, Annual Appraisals and Bantz

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