The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Podcast Special - Fostering in Ireland

In our final podcast spotlighting different aspects of the social care system in Ireland we look at fostering with Deirdre McDonagh and Daire Gilmartin from Five Rivers Fostering based across the whole country. We consider the legal framework as well as the culture around fostering that exists in Ireland. 

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

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Episode 175 - An interview with Psychosexual Therapist Lisa Etherson

In this episode we're really pleased to speak to Psychosexual therapist Lisa Etherson. Firstly, it's a frank and open conversation that isn't suitable for children so be warned if you're of a delicate disposition, this may not be for you and certainly don't play it on loudspeaker when the vicar is round for tea. 

We chat about the impact of early adversity on children and young people and their relationships and sex. We also discuss the broader issue of shame which was the primary reason we invited Lisa as she's researching the subject for a PHD. It's a conversation so we go where we're led and at moments slip into an episode of 'Carry on Podcasting'. Be warned.  

You can connect with Lisa 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 AandFpodcast@gmail.com

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Conversations - Black Sheep, transracial adult adoptee and adopter.

Hello and welcome to conversations from the A and F network

In this episode I speak to Black Sheep a transracial adult adoptee and adopter. She shares her experience of growing up in a white family, the challenges and joy’s of reunification with birth family and her own experience as an adoptive parent. 

Black Sheep also shares her perspective on transracial adoption and the issues of race that are unaddressed within the adoption system. She has written of her experience in a book that you can find here and there will be an audio version available soon.

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

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Episode 4 of ‘FASD - What’s da Craic?’ with Maggie, Rob and Scott.

In this episode Maggie and Scott have a have a great catch up, discussing birthdays and family additions, they also review the recent research carried out by Dr Katy Tobin, Dr Elizabeth McCarthy and Ms Anna Marie Paanoven all from Trinity College Dublin. 

 

The report was released at the end of September, and we look at some of the statistics that caught our eye. This report is the first of its kind for Ireland - with respondents from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

 

It is definitely worth a read and you can download the whole report here: https://rb.gy/u4pjx

 

Also in this episode Rob and Scott speak to Independent Teachta Dála (TD) for County Clare - Violet-Anne Wynne. We discuss the awareness of FASD within the political arena around Ireland, her interest in it, and how she would like to see the future develop for those living with and caring for those with FASD.

 

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

Converstations - Birth Parent Kristy

Hello and welcome to this edition of conversations from the A&F network. 

It’s national adoption week and we’re delighted to speak to birth mother Kristy.

She shares her story of the challenge of having her children removed and how she’s managed to build a life after that event. Her story is not uncommon, domestic abuse and mental ill health being at the start of the story as well as failed letterbox contact after social care professionals miscommunicated to adoptive parents. 

Kristy now volunteers with PAC UK and seeks to support other birth parents as well as affect change in the adoption 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, the app formerly known as Twitter or email us at AandFpodcast@gmail.com

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#Conversations - Mimm

Hello and welcome to this #NationalAdoptionWeek edition of conversations from the A&F network. 

As it’s national adoption week and I’m pleased to welcome adoptive parent and adult adoptee Mimm onto the podcast. We chat through some of her experiences and perspectives that reflect the diversity of opinions that are present in what can be a challenging week. 

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 AandFpodcast@gmail.com

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Episode 174 - New, Reports, #Adoption Week and more

In this episode we catch up after a long busy summer, there's lots to catch up on so we rattle through the issues. Here's the set list:

Dog

Face

Birthday 

CVAA 

Panels

National Adoption week

DfE Ofsted changes (the response to the consultation can be read here)

Judges (the report can be fund here)

Conference

You'll have to check on social media to see our little friends as well. 

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

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Better Me Better Us: Ep5 - Parents

In this months podcast Vicky and Haley talk all thing parenting! What does it mean and how has it changed over the years.

Connect with us -

Instagram- @BMBUltd

Facebook – Better Me Better Us

Twitter – @BMBUltd

Email – info@bettermebetterus.co.uk

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Conversations - Anthony, Care Experienced Adult

Hello and welcome to conversations from the A and F podcast. 

In this episode I speak to Anthony about his experiences as a child entering the care system and his journey through foster care, residential care and semi independence. He’s really honest in terms of his responses to his lived experience and the help he received at various times. Anthony now campaigns for Revolving Door to improve youth justice and police responses to young people.  

You can connect and find out more about Anthony 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

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Better Me Better Us: Ep3 - Social Media

Our third Better Me Better Us Podcast focuses on social media. We discuss various perspectives from telling ‘white lies’ so our children have access to platforms with an age limit, to posting photos of our children without consent. From an Adoption and Fostering perspective we discuss the challenges for both parents and professionals when children search for birth family members online and think about how we prepare and manage the potential risk associated with this. The virtual world has many advantages, but as with many other scenarios that we teach our children about , how do we prepare our children to navigate scenarios through their screens?

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