Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering
Episodes
15 hours ago
15 hours ago
Hello and welcome to this special edition of the Fostering and Adoption podcast
On the 12th February Patch held their first in person conference in Liverpool bringing together adoptive parents, adult adoptees and professionals from the adoption arena. Fiona Wells is the founder and a driving force behind Patch and here is a recording of her morning keynote presentation on the “Journey of the Child.”
If you want to know more about the work of Patch 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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Saturday Feb 14, 2026
Hello and welcome to the A&F podcast with Scott Casson-Rennie AMBII and Al Coates.
This was recorded the day of the Children's Minister's announcement on the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund and the announcement of a consultation. So, after a little banter we get right into it and unpack our views on it. Frankly we pull no punches and throw caution to the wind of ever getting Josh Mac on the podcast.
We also unpack the announcement for an extra 10,000 carers and after a short pause we get onto the issue of is foster caring a job!
Below is the link to the FASD Ireland conference. A limited number of Early Bird tickets are now available - secure your place today: www.fasdireland.ie/conference
If you're an adoptive parent and are wanting to join the 'Walking with Families' online FB group you can join here
or
if you want to sign up to the weekly online support meetings for adopters caring for children with challenging behaviour you can do so 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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
As February is the month of love, we thoughts we’d explore what love really means especially in the context of adoption and fostering.
What does love look like in real life? How do our different love languages shape the way we give and receive? And how does trauma affect the way children and adults experience love, connection, and safety?
We reflect on the powerful truth that while love is vital, love alone does not heal trauma and consider what children and families need alongside love.
Website- www.bettermebetterus.co.uk
Instagram- BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk
Saturday Feb 07, 2026
Saturday Feb 07, 2026
Hello and welcome to conversations from the AandF podcast.
In this episode to Dr Maude Champagne , social worker, psychotherapist and NVR practitioner who works in adoption and foster care. Specifically she works with parents who are experiencing violence and aggression and I asked her on to talk about parents experience of recovery once children, who are challenging, leave the home.
There are links to her work below:
Recovery When Your Child who is aggressive no Longer Lives at Home
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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Jan 31, 2026
Saturday Jan 31, 2026
Hello and welcome to this episode of from the AandF podcast.
This episode is unofficially sponsored by Sainsbury's Supermarket.
In this episode we unpack the pros and cons of social media bans and the specific challenges that many parents and carers of children with complex early lives and SEN face.
We also get somewhat distracted by some self care and purchasing choices. We would welcome the findings of your Nectar app purchases.
Below is the link to the FASD Ireland conference. A limited number of Early Bird tickets are now available - secure your place today: www.fasdireland.ie/conference
If you're an adoptive parent and are wanting to join the 'Walking with Families' online FB group you can join here
or
if you want to sign up to the weekly online support meetings for adopters caring for children with challenging behaviour you can do so 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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Hello and welcome to conversations from the AandF podcast.
In this episode I speak with Suzanne Scott, she is the founder of Trauma informed parenting based in Scotland. Suzanne supports parents and professionals to move from fear and control to a trauma informed approach to strengthen relationships with children and affect change in them. She shares her own experience of parenting children with complex needs as well as being a foster carer and not the work she does across the UK.
Here are some links to Suzanne's work.
FB
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1ZmGwbMA28/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Website
https://www.traumainformedparenting.uk/
Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/25265000625
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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Jan 17, 2026
Saturday Jan 17, 2026
Hello and welcome the AandF podcast, it the New Year so our better halves,Paula and Tris, join us to catch up on the year and join the banter.
We unpack the year and catch up with them and after a slow start we discuss the challenges and new experience of parenting adult children with the subsequent surprising rewards. At no point is there any marital strife!
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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Tuesday Jan 13, 2026
Tuesday Jan 13, 2026
In this episode we explore the responsibility adults and professionals carry to own their behaviours, words, and actions, especially when working with children. From everyday interactions to moments of conflict and repair, we unpack why accountability is not about perfection, but integrity.
We discuss how children learn more from what we model than what we say, why owning mistakes builds trust and emotional safety, and how this is especially vital in fostering and adoption, where many children have experienced broken promises and unmet accountability.
As always you can connect with us through the following -
Instagram- BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk
Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Hello and welcome to the AandF podcast.
In this episode I speak to adult adoptee Tiegen Boyens and social worker/researcher Nick Burke. They are undertaking research examining the adoptee quality of life for those between 16 and 25. Tiegan and Nick unpack the reason behind the research and how the topics and questions were identified though focus group with a range of adoptees.
You can access the survey 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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Hello and welcome to the A&F Podcast. In this episode we're continuing to look at parenting from a distance and adoption disruption. It's a hugely sensitive matter with the impact on children adults and professionals often being catastrophic.
Here, I speak to Amy an adoptive parent and social worker and she describes the events that led to crisis and the response of the system.
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, BlueSky or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com