The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Adopter Stories - #9 Alex

In this episode Alex shares her journey from approval as a specialist foster carer to then going on to adopt the little boy she cared for. Like many journeys Alex shares some of the unexpected, but welcome, turns and some of the challenges and joys that she's experienced.  

If you'd like to share your story then please get in touch through the Adoption & Fostering Podcast's facebook page here, or our twitter feed here.

Episode 55 - Julie Samuels, Digital Adoption Challenges

Firstly we attempt a new intro, you can be the judge of its success. Then in this episode Al speaks to Julie Samuels adopter, researcher and author of Adoption in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges for the 21st Century. We consider the impact on families of the new connectivity, digital image search, contact, life story and more. 

Scott and Al pick the issues up and reflect on some of the challenges across social media for all people touched by adoption as well as some of the recent fracas on twitter. 

There was a lot to cover this week including, the Draft Domestic Abuse Bill, Twitter feedback, RAA concerns, Scotts plans for a walk as well as getting somewhat distracted by Scott's wedding and concerns over how tall Al actually is.

As always, thanks for listening, tell your friends, steal your spouses phone and subscribe them take the kids to the phone shops and subscribe the phones for fun.

While you're on head over to the Podcast's Facebook Page and see the picture of the wedding outfit! While you're there press like. 

 

Foster Carer Stories #4 Sylvia

In this episode we cross the Atlantic and speak to Sylvia, author, retired teacher and foster carer. She shares her story of choosing foster care later in life as well as her writing stories for children and her path to towards adoption. 

You can follow Sylvia on Twitter here and view her 'foster heros' books here. 

Foster Carer stories is a place where foster carers can share their experiences, good, bad and everything in between with no agenda or filter.

If you'd like to share your story then please get in touch through the Adoption & Fostering Podcast's facebook page here, or our twitter feed here.

Episode 54 - Autism and Fostered and Adopted Children

Before Christmas we had the opportunity to speak to Dr Helen Rodwell and Dr Katie Hunt about a book that they'd just released on Autism and specifically the challenges that presents to children that are fostered or adopted. (The book can be bought here). It was an interesting chat that clarified some stuff and we considered some of the more challenging issues that parents and carers may experience in caring for the children. We also discussed the nuances of autism, diagnosis and formulations. The clocks chimed and it was a good natured discussion recorded on the evening of the commons no confidence vote in December. There's a little internet trouble but it's very brief so don't fret.

As always, Scott and I engage in light banter as we top and tail the interview and we've been given a book to give away, actually its the second we were given (long story) so there's a very hard competition to win it.

As always thanks for listening and if you're feeling benevolent or bored please head over to iTunes and leave a little review here . 

Adopter Stories - #8 Adrian

In this episode we travel to the West Coast of the US and speak to birth mom, parent and adoptive parent Adrian. She shares her family's remarkable story of multiple adoptions from different sides of the triangle. 

You can find out more of Adrian's story on her blog here. Also, on her Facebook page here.

If you'd like to share your story then please get in touch through the Adoption & Fostering Podcast's facebook page here, or our twitter feed here.

Episode 53 - Xmas Special with Suddenly Mummy plus Special Guest

So here is is merry Christmas and everybody's having fun. Actually, it is fun. In this episode we are pleased to welcome Becky, AKA Suddenly Mummy, to help us reflect on the year. 

We talk blogging, or the lack thereof, some of the campaigns around education and some of our individual highlights of the year. It's a lighthearted look at all that's happened and as we look to the future it's only just begun (sorry). 

We indulge in a new and improved end of year quiz: Memoir or Made Up? and there's only limited mention of bourbons. A dog barks and Tris makes a brief appearance. 

All good fun. 

Thank you for listening over the year, we aim to bring some light relief, a few helpful thoughts and a little bit of challenged. If we did then a wee review on iTunes here would be appreciated. 

Adopter Stories - #7 Brie

In this episode Brie shares her story of experiencing post adoption depression following a little boy being adopted by her and her husband. 

Brie's blog, The Colours of Adoption, has more details of her experiences and offers guidance on where to access support. You can also follow her on Twitter @colour_adoption

If you'd like to share your story then please get in touch through the Adoption & Fostering Podcast's facebook page here, or our twitter feed here.

Episode 52 - An interview with Safeguarding Survivor

In this episode Al interviews Annie (AKA Safeguarding Survivor ), she shares her first had experience of living through the foster care system and then becoming involved as a parent. Annie reflects on the challenges that her family has faced and how the system has responded to that. It's an honest and balanced conversation that gives a view into a world that is rarely opened up. 

Scott and Al engage in a their usual chatter as well and talk about houses, Giff Gaff (again) amongst other stuff. 

 

 

Foster Carer Stories #3 Marie

In this Episode Marie shares her story of her decision to foster as a single woman with challenges and new experiences

Foster Carer stories is a place where foster carers can share their experiences, good, bad and everything in between with no agenda or filter.

If you'd like to share your story then please get in touch through the Adoption & Fostering Podcast's facebook page here, or our twitter feed here.

Episode 51 - An interview with Isabelle Trowler

In this episode Al put on his best shirt and headed up to the Department for Education to speak to Isabelle Trowler England's Chief Social Worker for Children and Families. There had been a few questions sent in so they were synthesised into some talking points including professional development for social workers, the support available for kinship carers and the trial of a permanence service in Peterborough that looks at the children first. We also touched on her role and what that actual involves.

It's been a while since the last podcast and we've a lot of other stuff to catch up with including the AUK conference, Scott's house move, Al's unfortunate incident with a psychologist and there is a slight unravelling when the subject of the recent Giff Gaff advert* was brought up and Al shared a forthright view on the matter. (he openly acknowledged that other opinions are available and he's also comfortable to be dismissed and disagreed with)

As always a cheeky review on iTunes here would be appreciated. 

 

*The advert depicted a fictional 'Adams family' style family where their child looked to be adopted as she didn't like her home life. It then portrayed her new adoptive family as ultra straight in contrast to her original family and then they tried to coerce her into signing adoption papers. She eventually returned to her biological family accepting their difference.