We have a very quick  catch-up about #NationalAdoptionWeek and there's a little bit of bad language, not much just a little.
Then we get to the main event, school exclusion. It's a broad and deep issue so on reflection we only scratch the surface. Ruth shares her experience as a teacher and school head and reflects on some of the issues that lead up to exclusion and the impact on children, staff and parents. We also share some of the comments that were sent to us from parents and carers of children who have been struggling in school. It feels like an issue that we could return to and dig deeper into. 
Ruth and Scott were full of cold so there's a little bit of coughing! 
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Ep 149 pt2 - School Exclusions with Ruth Whiteside

Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering

Kids & Family

Parenting

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
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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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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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Ep 149 pt2 - School Exclusions with Ruth Whiteside

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