Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering
Episodes
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Saturday Nov 22, 2025
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.
In this episode I speak to former foster carer and author Amelie. She shares her family story of a serious allegation made against them that led to her own children being removed from her care. It’s a stark account and Amelie’s book, Broken, recounts that experience. Amelie is passionate to see change and help build a system that manages allegations better.
You can read Amelie's book here and follow her on instagram 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 Nov 15, 2025
Saturday Nov 15, 2025
Hello and welcome to the AandF podcast.
*Warning!*
We will be leaning into gender stereotypes.
So, it's been a while since we had a proper natter so we catch up then dive into the tricky issue of mens'/dads' mental health and the specific challenges that adoption may bring. We think about blocked care and post adoption depression as well as consider how we access support and if we even want it?
Here's a link to the research we reference around adoptive dads and if you're interested in joining Al's online peer support for adoptive parent caring for children with challenging behaviour follow this link and we'll share the details of the open groups and the dads' groups with you. There's also a FB group you can join 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 Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Instagram- BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk
Saturday Nov 08, 2025
Saturday Nov 08, 2025
Hello and welcome to conversations from the AandF podcast.
In this episode I speak to Dan Boxall-Simpson, he’s returned to the podcast to update us on the progress of EPIC Fostering the independent foster care agency he is in the process of setting up. He shares some of the challenges of navigating the process, Ofsted applications and more. It’s interesting to find out why now is a good time to do this and chat about their ethos and vision as a not for profit agency.
You can find out more about EPIC and EPIC family CIC 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 Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Hello and welcome to the A&F podcast.
In this episode we’re focusing our gaze on the issue of adoption disruption. It’s a hugely sensitive subject matter with the impact on children, adults and professionals often being catastrophic.
Here I speak to Vicki McKeown psychotherapeutic Counsellor at VLM Therapy Ltd & Director at Better Me Better Us Ltd, social worker and panel member. She has broad experience of working with adopted children and their parents and shares insight to the causes and impacts across 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
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.
In this episode I speak to adoptee Andy Wallis. We talk about his experience of being an adoptee and the impact on his mental health in adulthood. This is a thought provoking conversation and Andy is honest about the the complexity of being an adoptee. Andy blogs on the subject as well as having told parts of his story in his book Who's Wally? Adoption, Brian, and Me.
Website: www.whoswally.co.uk
📸 Instagram and TikTok: @whoswally73
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andy.wallis.3572
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-wallis-865ab6195/
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
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
Thursday Oct 23, 2025
I speak to Fiona Wells, social worker, #adopter, #adoptee and #adoption reform campaigner about where we are this #NationalAdoptionWeek.
We talk all things adoption, trends, contact, the good and the bad. It's an engaging chat and you can see the comments on Al's FB page here.
Patch's even can be found through their website 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 Oct 18, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Hello and welcome to the A&F podcast.
As part of our look at the issue of adoption disruption in this episode I chat to Charlotte Jenkins. She is the founder of Beacon Family Services but acting as an independent social worker chairs adoption disruption meetings. It’s a hugely sensitive subject matter and Charlotte explains how bringing together professionals and parents they can potentially make sense of what has happened, she also draws out themes that she has observed doing what is challenging work.
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
Listen/subscribe on iTunes here Spotify here
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
This month we’re exploring how our different lenses - our lived experiences, values, and professional knowledge, shape the way we see and interpret behaviour. They influence how we respond, the language we use, and even whether we view something as needing a safeguarding referral or as an opportunity for support and connection.
By becoming aware of our own lenses and being open to those of others, we can create a shared understanding that keeps curiosity, empathy, and the child at the centre of our practice.
As always you can connect with us through the following -
Instagram- BMBUltd
Facebook – Better Me Better Us
Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.
In this episode I speak to adoptive parent Cath who is parenting from a distance, a position that many adoptive families find themselves in. Often parents struggled to meet the complex and high needs of children with the challenges of ensuring children remain safe also added into the mix. When this happens it can characterised as a breakdown or an adoption disruption, however as Cath’s story indicates the separation is often necessary to ensure any chance of an ongoing relationship between children and parents. However, getting service to acknowledge and see the needs of children and parents can be challenging to say the least.
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