The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Episode 16 - Fostering and an Interview with Harvey Gallagher from the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers

This week we chat to Harvey Gallagher the CEO of the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers. It's #fostercarefortnight and he shares his thoughts on weaknesss and strengths of the foster care system as well as the challenges of professionalisation and what the future holds. 

As always Scott and I indulge in a little light banter and share our own experiences of being foster carers and thoughts on it all. 

Thanks for downloading & listenting. 

Episode 15 - Fostering and an Interview with Blair Mortimer

With it being Foster Care Fortnight it would seem appropriate to talk about Fostering. So, we called on our old friend Blair Mortimer, adoptee and Foster Carer, to chat about his experiences including moving children onto adoptive homes. 

As always Scott and indulge in some banter, and share our own experiences of being foster carers that adopted. 

We also indulge in some flippant nonsense as we introduce a new feature!

We hope you enjoy

Episode 14 - An Interview with Honor Rhodes from Tavistock Relationships

Honor Rhodes is the Director of Strategic Development at Tavistock Relationships. I interviewed her about the impact of adoption, and parenting in general, on the quaity and stability of parents relationships. 

 

As ever Scott and I sandwich the interview between a subtle blend of whit and banter, or at least we think so. 

If you think that you may benefit from the service then here's a link to their website that gives you contact details.

http://www.tavistockrelationships.org/relationship-help/adopting-together

From their website

'Tavistock Relationships is offering FREE support for adoptive parents, funded by a grant from the Department of Education. The Adopting Together Service is OFSTED registered and is designed to help couples take care of their own relationship, manage the stresses of parenting and enhance their children's lives. We welcome both heterosexual and same-sex couples.

Working with our experienced therapists in a safe and confidential setting, you can be helped to think about the issues that may be affecting your relationship.'

 

Episode 13 - Part two of an interview with Hugh Thornbery

This week we have the second part of the interview with Hugh Thornbey the outgoing CEO of Adoption UK.

Scott and I indulge in a little banter and bring a lighthearted skew to all things adoption. 

Episode 12 - Part 1 of an interview with Hugh Thornbery of AUK

This is the first part of an interview with Hugh Thornbery the CEO of Adoption UK. Hugh is retiring at the end of March and I took this opportunity to discuss some specific isssues in relation to the Adoption Support Fund and other issues that have been addressed during his tenure.

The second half will be released on the 26th March 2017 with Scott on tap to offer insight and whit.

 

Podcast Special - LGBT Adoption Week 2017

This is a Special Podcast to recognise LGBT Adoption & Fostering Week - 2017.

 

Al has taken a well deserved week off... kind of... so I locked the door to the studio, twiddled a few knobs and hey presto here you go!

 

I talk to Ruth, a lesbian mum and Calvin, a gay dad about some of the ups and downs of both becoming an LGBT Adopter and parenting as one.

 

Al and I will be back next week as usual. Enjoy this Special and share it far and wide... we still need more LGBT adopters and foster carers. 

Episode 11 - Jane Pickthall from the National Association of Virtual School Heads

In this episode we interview Jane Pickthall the incoming Chair of the National Association of Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) and discuss the needs of children and the role of the Virtual Heads. This is a cracking interview and an insight to professionals that work with and influence many schools as they educate and care for vulnerable children. 

Scott and I hit our stride and enjoy the cut and thrust of our usual banter, enjoy. 

Here are the links to NAVSH website and twitter handle.

http://www.navsh.org.uk

@NAVSH_UK

 

Episode 10 - Trauma & Attachment. An Interview with Dr Marie Kershaw

This week we have an interview with Dr Marie Kershaw. She is an Senior Chartered Clinical Psychologist with almost 15 years experience working with adopted and fostered children and young people specifically in relation to attachment and trauma.

Scott and I struggled to rise to our usual giddy heights of banter but fear not we'll be back.

Episode 9 - An Interview with Maria Catterick from the FASD Network UK

In this episode I speak to Maria Catterick, Social Worker, Foster Carer and founder of the FASD Network. We discuss her journey to setting up the network, Feotal Alcohol Spectrum Dosorder (FASD) and the challenges that parents and carers face as the care for children who live with the preventable condition. 

As always Scott Casson Rennie and I dicuss the interview and other matters including the recent Adoption Support Fund announcement all interspersed with whit and banter. 

The FASD Network can be found here:

http://www.fasdnetwork.org

 

 

 

Podcast Special - Improving Adoption Services & Support Conference Talk

I was invited to speak at a recent one day conference to review the Adoption Reforms laid out in the Government's report 'Adoption: A vision for Change'

I'm not a spokesperson for the Government so spoke as a critical friend and gave my perspectives on the objectives outlined in the report. 

I thought I'd upload it as it may be of interest to some.