The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Episode 23 - Life Story Work with Katie Wrench

Life Story Work is a topic that raises many questiosn with carers and adopters having a whole range of experiences from positive to very poor. So, with that in mind this week we speak to Katie Wrench a Social Worker and author on the subject. We discuss a range of issues, including helping children with complex and challenging histories as well as good practice and how open should we be.

Most of the questions and themes came from Twitter and Facebook so thanks to every one who joined the discussion. 

Katie's book is called: Life Story Work with Children Who are Fostered or Adoptered: Creative Ideas and Activities and can be found through all the usual routes.

 

 

 

Episode 22 - Part 2 of the CPV talk for We Are Family

This episode we release the second half of the Child on Parent Violence (CPV) talk that we gave on the 12th July hosted by We Are Family. 

It's the summer so no banter I'm afriad, though we're pulling out all the stops to get a some interesting guests for the autumn. 

 

Episode 21 - Scott and Al and the CPV talk for We Are Family

This episode is built around a recording of the Child on Parent Violence talk that Scott and I delivered on the 12th July. To maintian confidentiality of the attendees it's been editied and so that sometimes makes some elements of it a little disjointed. The evenening was in two parts and this is the first part. 

Scott and I introduce it and give a little context to the talk and reflect on the feedback that we recieved.

Episode 20 - Scott, Paula and Al

What could possible go wrong, three adopters trapped in a room. Nine adopted children between them and nearly 50 years of adoptive parenting to draw on.

This week is a little unusual as we all got together and chatted through some issues close to our hearts, support, honesty in online support and child on parent violence. We cover a wide range of stuff and raise some interesting points. 

Wine, banter and much hilarity ensue.

 

Episode 19 - Teenagers with Rachel Staff

This week we have a great interview with Rachel Staff Social Worker and author of Parenting Adopted Teenagers. Rachel has over 10 years experience of supporting familes of adopted teenagers and bring some valuable insight and advice for us all. 

Scott and I fall into a banter whirlpool and discuss, the Queen's Birthday Honours list, convertable cars and add a little sensible thought. 

Enjoy.

Episode 18 - An interview with Annie Crombie of the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies

This week Scott and I headed to that London to speak to Annie Crombie the CEO of the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies. A unique opportuity for us to leave the studio and speak to someone in person Annie has a unique perspective and some interesting thoughts on the short term future of adoption agencies. An interesting and thought provoking chat. 

Child on Parent Violence lecture - 7 minute clip

This week I delivered an hours talk on Child on Parent Violence for the the training company @celandt at a free public lecture at the University of Sunderland. I've taken a little snippet of it to give people an idea of the content. 

If you'd like to hear more and can get to the free event on the 12th July pm in Islington. You can book your free space by emailing

rsvp@wearefamily.org.uk

Episode 17 - An interview with Mike Armiger

This week we speak to Mike Armiger about caring and parenting children who have experienced sexual abuse. At times it's a frank conversation and obviously it's a difficult and upseting subject matter so I advise caution and ensure that little and sensitive ears don't hear it. 

Scott and I round it up but as you can imagine banter is turned down in light of the tone of the podcast. ]

We also give a heads up to a couple of events that we're going to and the release of the Podcast's own Twitter Feed @adoption_pcast 

I hope you find it useful and if anything has helped or you'd like to know more then please get in touch through Twitter or AdoptionFosteringPodcast@gmail.com

 

 

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