This is a little podcast special, we were up to the Department for Education for a meeting of the Adopter Reference Group. We thought it wise to feedback what happened and some reflections on the ARG now the Leadership Board has ended. 
Note: it was recorded in a pub yard next to a building site, we sat in the cold crisp shade under blue skies and chatted. It was rather pleasant, but noisy!
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 or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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Podcast Special - Up to the DfE for the ARG

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
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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

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
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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

Podcast Special - Up to the DfE for the ARG

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