The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F Network. 

In this episode we catch up with foster carer Megan, we spoke to her in the autumn of 2022 as she was about to set out on a new adventure in Africa. Megan catches us up with the work she’s been doing and the book that she’s been writing. She shares her own lived experience as a neuro-divergent foster carer and explains how barriers can be broken down to establish a successful partnership with one sole aim: to create the best possible outcome for a child or teen in need.

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 [email protected]

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Hello and welcome to this episode of the Better Me Better Us Podcast with Vicki and Hayley.

In this episode, they dive into the concept of safety—both physical and emotional—and explore what it truly means to feel safe. They discuss how trauma can deeply affect our sense of security, impacting the way we navigate relationships, environments, and ourselves.

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It's been a busy old summer. In this episode we catch up with family changes, business changes and generally updates from the two. It's been a busy summer for everyone but now we're at the new term we're thinking ahead. Scott shares some updates with FASD Ireland and Al in relation to the Churchill Fellowship. 

We asked Fiona Wells to come and share how the plans for the 'Safeguarding in Adoption' online conference planned for the 24th September are coming along. It's free and you can book a place here. 

We discuss some of the challenges of living with trauma and reflect on all our families' experiences. 

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 [email protected]

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Scott and Al are having a week off! both taking a pause after a busy year and before a busy autumn. So, rather than do nothing we're re releasing a cracking episode from last year that is well worth a revisit. 

In this episode we speak to NHS historian Dr Michael Lambert. He has looked at the historic evidence of Government policy to promote and facilitate removal of children from mothers in the post war period. We discuss this as well as the move towards a formal apology from the government as well as from other players in the system at that time. The conversation is revelatory and puts into perspective  and questions the idea that adoption was solely driven by society. 

Certainly, as a topic it places contemporary adoption in context as well as considering how modern practice still echoes the historical  roots of adoption. 

The links below will take you to written work, evidence  Michael's letter to the movement for an adoption apology:

The birth mother and the evolution of adoption policy and practice in England since 1926 by Dr Jatinder Sandhu

Letter to the Movement for an adoption apology

The right to family life: adoption of children of unmarried women 1949-1976

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, twitter or email us at [email protected]

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Hello and welcome to this episode of the Adoption and Fostering Podcast. 

This episode is halfway between a conversation and a normal episode. I had the opportunity to speak to Bethan Pell Doctoral Researcher at Cardiff University. She’s looking Child and Adolescent to Parent Violence and Abuse (CAPVA) in the context of Wales. It’s a fascinating study and Bethan explains the purpose of the research and how she hopes it will develop understanding in Wales of the issue and beyond as well as consider whose voices aren’t being heard. 

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 [email protected]

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Hello and welcome to the A&F Podcast. 

In this episode we speak to Lauren Seager-Smith CEO of The For Baby's Sake Trust charity working UK-wide to break the cycle of domestic abuse and empower parents to give their babies the best start in life. 

For many children in the care system or previously in the care system domestic abuse has been a part of their story and it was a really interesting conversation with Lauren. Additionally, Lauren discusses her previous work around bullying and Scott and Al have had to call in HR. 

Here are the links discussed in the news section:

Safeguarding in Adoption on the 24th Sept 9:30 to 1pm online - Here

Adoption England - Maintaining Relationships Standards Consultation - 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 [email protected]

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Hello and welcome to this episode of the Better Me Better Us Podcast with Vicki and Hayley.

In this months episode we talk about vulnerability. What does it mean to you? Is it a weakness or a sign of strength? 

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Facebook – Better Me Better Us

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Email – [email protected]

Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F Network. 

In this episode I speak to Susie James and adult adoptee and a solo adoptive parents. She shares her experience of growing up adopted and navigating reunion with her birth mother as a young woman. Susie is now embarking on a PhD looking at post adoption support for solo adopters inspired by her own experiences of support. She also has a website collating the stories of adoptees and you can find that 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 [email protected]

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In this webcast Al speaks to Fiona Wells founder of Patch and author of 2023's Adoption Crisis report. We're chatting about the report and what conversations it's started as well as the upcoming 'safeguarding in Adoption' online conference planned for the 24th September. It's free and you can book a place 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 [email protected]

Listen/subscribe on iTunes here

Spotify here

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Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F Network. 

In this episode I speak to Marie a German Foster Carer. She got in touch to offer some insight to the German system and how fostering is viewed and arranged there. It’s a fascinating subject with that highlights as many differences as there are similarities. 

We’d love to hear from any other carers or adopters from far flung lands so if that’s you please do get in touch through the Facebook page, the app formerly known as Twitter or email us at [email protected]

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