Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering
Episodes
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Friday Aug 04, 2023
Al catches up with Fiona Wells about what’s happened since the Adoption Crisis: The Jarring Reality Of Adoption report (you can read it here) was released and the next steps. We talk about the issue more broadly and some of the green shoots that will hopefully develop into actions. To aid that Fiona is gathering information from families who have experienced challenges through this short 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, twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Hi Everyone, we are Vicki and Haley from Better Me Better Us.
In this episode we start a conversation about language.
We have over 45 years shared experience working with children, young people, young adults and their families, from a range of roles including statutory safeguarding, family intervention, therapy, consultancy and training.
We are passionate about humans, relationships and bringing the literature and theories to life (and we love to talk).
We cannot wait to connect with you once a month and expand the conversation.
Connect with us -
Instagram- @BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Twitter – @BMBUltd
Saturday Jul 29, 2023
Saturday Jul 29, 2023
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A and F podcast.
In this episode I speak to birth father Andy, he shares his experiences of family court proceedings and the challenges that led to his daughter being adopted. It’s a difficult listen and Andy is honest in regards to his journey and he highlights the combative nature of the system that led to the decision in the courts for adoption and the impact on him and his family.
You can read the PAC report that Andy participated in and helped present 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 or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Saturday Jul 22, 2023
Hello and welcome to this episode of the A&F Podcast. It's been a long time coming but we've finally managed to get together to chat about the thorny issue of 'parent blame'. Pretty quickly into this we narrow down what we we mean and who we're talking about and Elaine, Scott and Al share personal experiences and perspectives as well as looking at professional perspectives.
We kind of slip into discussions around managing concerns and all kinds of other places but also give top tip for parent and top tips for professionals on how to avoid 'parent blame'.
Below here are some of the resources that we draw on and mention:
From parental blame to partnership with families: how to transform children’s social care
CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE THE WAY FORWARD - Parent Families and Allies Network
Parent-blaming to avoid professional accountability is a human rights issue
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 AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Welcome to the introductory episode of “FASD – What’s da Craic?” – with Maggie, Rob and Scott. This is Episode 1 of our first series from FASD Ireland and hosted by the A&F Network.
Do you know what “What’s da Craic?” means, we hope it is obvious…. but Craic is a term or greeting used to describe a good time, a fun experience, or a friendly conversation and is commonly used in Irish slang.
In this episode you will get to know Maggie, Rob and Scott a little more, including their interest in hosting an FASD podcast, as they introduce themselves. As well as getting to know them they also discuss Peer Support, working when you live with FASD, Parenting Triggers and Irish voices.
Whilst “FASD – What’s da Craic?” is predominantly an Irish take on FASD, we try to make our language and experiences accessible to everyone. We have a mix of accents in there – something for all!
We welcome you to get in touch whether you have a question or would like to be a guest, you can search FASD Ireland across all social media platforms and DM us or email us: office@fasdireland.ie
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Saturday Jul 15, 2023
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A and F podcast.
In this episode we speak to Fran Hill, she is the author of the novel Cuckoo in the nest as well as being a retired teacher and care experienced herself. Fran share her experience of entering the care system as a 14 year old in 1976, her reflections on that as well as how that informed her writing her book charting the experience of a fictional child entering the care system. Details of where you can buy the book are here and you can find out more about Fran 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 or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Hi Everyone, we are Vicki and Haley from Better Me Better Us.
In this first episode we introduce ourselves and what we do.
We have over 45 years shared experience working with children, young people, young adults and their families, from a range of roles including statutory safeguarding, family intervention, therapy, consultancy and training.
We are passionate about humans, relationships and bringing the literature and theories to life (and we love to talk).
We cannot wait to connect with you once a month and expand the conversation.
Connect with us -
Instagram- @BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Twitter – @BMBUltd
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
Saturday Jul 08, 2023
In this episode we share some news of a new podcast coming out this week, the BASW #CPV #CCVAB Practice guide (here) and their draft statement on 'forced adoption', the Ellie Simmonds programme and Scott's Covid!
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 or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
In this midweek conversation we speak to Prof Helen Minnis and Fiona Lettice from the University Of Glasgow. They are undertaking a trial (The Relationships in Good Hands (RIGHT)Trial) looking at Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) therapy.
We chat about the DDP generally and then consider the specific questions that the study is looking at
Can DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) improve the mental health of 5–12-year-old fostered or adopted children and is DDP worth the commitment families need to give to it - and the extra cost to the services that deliver it?
Notes from Helen and Fiona:
"Are you interested in taking part in the RIGHT research trial and contributing to improving care pathways for adopted and fostered children? The Right trial is looking to determine the effectiveness of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy versus other appropriate treatment, offered to children experiencing difficulties related to early years trauma. We are also looking to identify how care pathways can be improved to ensure our vulnerable children are easily able to access the right treatment at the right time.
RIGHT is currently recruiting for adoptive families in the following areas: Hertfordshire, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford, Oxfordshire, Lanarkshire, Doncaster, East Midlands – Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, West Midlands – Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, and Walsall
And for children in a long-term foster placement in:
Lanarkshire, Nottingham City, Bradford, Norfolk, Oxfordshire
Please get in touch with us at right-trial@glasgow.ac.uk
or find out more at www.gla.ac.uk/right"
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 or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Saturday Jul 01, 2023
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A and F podcast.
In this episode we speak to Gaynor an adult adoptee. Gaynor has recently wrote her story in a book as a form of letters that reflects her experience and the complexity and challenge of adoption across her family. She shares some of that in the podcast and you can of course find out more if you seek out her book. Available 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 or twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here
Spotify here
Google here