Welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.
This is my first conversation in quite a while, and what a subject to come back to.
This week we talk to Zach and Alison. Regular listener Zach got in touch with us after listening to Al and I discussing the New Family Social podcast on “Consensual non-monogamy” recently.
Zach and his partner Alison are from Southern Carolina in the United States, and they wanted to talk to us about what they call “ethical non-monogamy”, not just about their relationship status, but also their journey through to adopting teenagers.
We were keen to interview Zach and Alison without judgement, but to also really try to get to the bottom of what “ethical non-monogamy” means to them and their family.
As ever, this is Zach and Alison’s story, and they talk openly about their status as a couple, but also they provide lots of information and statistics about the adoption process in South Carolina.
If you would like to be on an episode of the A&F Podcast conversations, then please do get in touch, either via our social on DM or by emailing aandfpodcast@gmail.com

Conversations - Zac & Alison

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 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
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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.
Connect with us -
Instagram- BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Twitter – BMBUltd
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk

Better Me Better You - Episode 12

Hello and welcome to this edition of conversations from the A&F network. 
In this episode I catch up with Kinship carer and researcher Michelle Hall, she is looking at the issue of contact between kinship carers and birth parents for her PhD. Michelle highlights the ongoing and complex challenges that can be present and shares the experiences of those she has spoken to. You can find access to her research 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
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
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Conversations - Michelle Hall Contact and Kinship Care

We're back in the same room after a year online. Consequently, we're a little giddy but get ourselves on track and discuss the CVAA strategy update that we were attending in that London. We ask the question that many prospective adopters ask, RAA or VAA? Then we unpick adopter sufficiency, PP+, the three year rule and more. 
Here's a link to the new Adoption England Strategy that we mention, we'll unpick it more in another episode.
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
Google here

Conversations - Zac & Alison

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