September 24, 2022
In this week's episode we speak to Sarah Anderson from Fostering Wiki about the recently released Cost of Living Crisis Report. This is a pressing issue for all carers but has exacerbated the underlying issues that fostering is facing at the moment. We chat with Sarah across some of the challenges being faced as well as the campaigning wok that is being done.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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![Episode 146 - A trip to Ireland, Permanence and what is our future?]()
September 17, 2022
We recorded this episode in Ireland, and planned to release it prior to the death of Queen Elizabeth.
Al had popped over to help with the opening of the FASD Ireland offices and we took the chance to record together. There's been a lot of change in the landscape around adoption and we reflect on where we are and where we're going. Do we remain a safe place for adopted adults to share their views and experiences and is a podcast hosted by two adopters the right place for that? These are few of the questions that we're asking of ourselves as we look to the future of the podcast. As always, there's plenty of banter and we reflect on the catastrophe which was Al's summer holiday and the usual stuff.
We've opened up sales for the conference on the 25th Movement. We will consider the challenges and barriers to maintaining positive, safe and meaningful links with birth family members.
Speakers including,RAA lead Sarah Johal, Angela Frazer-Wicks, Prof Beth Neil, Dawn Harker and Paula Coates.
Chaired by Scott and me, so nag your RAA if you're an adoptive parent in the UK and get them to contact us by email: aandfpodcast@gmail.com for details of bulk bookings.
Early Bird on sale now - £15.00 per person/£25.00 per couple.
click
here to buy a ticket.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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September 10, 2022
We did have a normal episode recorded and lined up but in light of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II we thought we'd throw out a few thoughts, a story and keep it brief. RIP
September 3, 2022
Hello and welcome to conversations from the adoption and fostering podcast.
In this episode we speak to Michelle Nattrass she is a special guardian to her grandson and a PHD researcher at Leeds Trinity University looking at family contact in kinship and guardianship arrangements.
Michelle shares her personal story, the circumstances that led to her and her partner becoming a special guardian as well as offering insight into the challenges that are present in the wider community. Michelle is honest and frank in relation to her experience and shines a light on many families experiences.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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August 27, 2022
In this episode we sift through the brick-a-brack of talking points and news updates that have been loitering in the back of the podcast shared note. We start with the giddy, heartbreaking, joy of children moving out as Al confesses to feeling rather glum. Then onto some talking points including, consensual non monogamy, Northern Pride, social work assessments and the ASLGB away day.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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August 20, 2022
This week Scott and Al are a summer holiday! Not together thank heavens but this is an interview with Mark Owers that was recorded a few weeks ago. Mark is an adoptive parent as well as a social worker and consultant to the DfE and the Government in relation to adoption and fostering and the Chair of the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group. He is able to bring an in depth knowledge to the policy context, how we got to where we are and consider the future of adoption. We also discuss the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board and Mark's recent article here.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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August 13, 2022
In this episode we are more than happy to have Becky back onto the podcast. As you'll hear Becky has an encyclopaedic knowledge of AUK's 2022 Adoption Barometer and she unpicks some of the data and we have a good natter.
As you'd expect we do occasionally get drawn into a broad range of issues including decorating children's bedrooms, women's football and the joy of pies.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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![Adoption Conversation - Ryan, Late Discovery Adoptee]()
July 30, 2022
Hello and welcome to conversations from the adoption and fostering podcast.
In this episode Scott spoke to late discovery, transracial and translation adoptee Ryan, he shares his complicated and challenging experience of finding out he was adopted at 18 years old.
Ryan talks about living his shame and avoiding dealing with his adoption until the last few years and his journey looking for support as an adult. Ryan is open an honest in discussing the complexities of his situation and the lack of information he has of his biological family from Morocco.
You can see Ryan's YouTube video here
https://youtu.be/4C-LNcmxdFk
And his Written story here https://peshy37.wordpress.com/2021/02/18/my-story/
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
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![Episode 141 - An interview with Rob Leitch, EHC plans for all care experienced children.]()
July 23, 2022
In this episode we speak to adoptive parent and Executive Headteacher Rob Leitch about his campaign to "Provide all care-experienced children with a right to be assessed for an EHCP"
This petition calls for all care-experienced children to be provided with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessment as an automatic right, upon request. This would provide all care-experienced children with an equality of opportunity, following a disadvantaged start in life.
You can add your signature here
Rob is a great guest and he shares some of his experience as an adoptive parent as well as his views on the challenges of education and the unique education model in the online school he is the headteacher at.
As always if you’ve experience of adoption, Fostering or special guardianship from any perspective and would like share that on the podcast please get in touch through the Facebook or twitter page or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
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