Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering
Episodes
Apr 6, 2019
Apr 6, 2019
35 min
On the 29th March Al was invited to speak at the Adoption Matters Conference with Hettie Verhagen. In a spirit of cheekiness Al took his tape recorder and a bag full of C90s and headed off.
There was a raft of interesting speakers that managed to allude Al, however a few were cornered and Hettie Verhagen shares some excellent views on supporting families who live with violence and aggression. John Simmonds CBE was found in a sunny garden and spoke of collaboration and human ventures. Sir Mark Hedley, Patron of Adoption Matters, adoptive parent and retired high court Judge shares some views on the legal aspects of adoption.
You can hear that we were at a conference, background noise etc. and Sir John Timpson crashes one of the interviews. There’s traffic and train noises galore.
We hope you enjoy and as we visit different places we’ll try and do some more.
Mar 30, 2019
Mar 30, 2019
1hr 27 min
Earlier in the month we were asked if we'd ever had a podcast specifically on Panel. We haven't, so we opened up the floodgates, had Twitter poll and the opinions and views flooded in.
This is it, Scott and Al talk about their experiences as panel members, attending panels and, for Al, presenting to panel. We try to reflect a range of concerns and point raised by listeners including; the quality of assessment, the experience of panel members and Agency Decision Makers. We unpack the actual legislation and consider the impact of RAAs on all of that.
There's minimal banter and it's also the first full length podcast that we've recorded live in the same room together so that adds to the mix.
As ever get in touch if you want to ask a question, offer an opinion, slag us off or some such. If you're feeling warm and fluffy leaving us a nice review on iTunes could be your act of kindness for the day.
Mar 23, 2019
Mar 23, 2019
19 min
In this episode Anne shares her story of adoption a girl with her husband. Anne's came to adoption having a broad range of experience and she tells some of the challenges and some of the joys that they've 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.
Mar 16, 2019
Mar 16, 2019
1hr 6 min
This week we speak to Helen Oakwater, adoptive parent, speaker and author, about her new book 'Want to Adopt? How to prepare yourself to parent a child from the care system'. We have a broad discussion based on the contents of the book including the nature of the adoption system, is adoption preparation fit for purpose?, resilience and the impact on adopters. There was a lot to covers so we rattled through it. There were a couple of grown up words, but frankly if you've made it this far you'll be fine!
You can buy the book on Amazon here.
Scott and Al employ some banter, be warned do not eat food during the first 5 minutes due to the nature of the anecdote shared. We catch up all things weddings at the end and Al loses control of his faculties. Be clear, Al has a clear understanding of the difference between a shovel and a spade and isn't being an arse, well? and there is no such thing as the Kalmari window, sorry Mr Johari.
As ever get in touch if you want to ask a question, offer an opinion, slag us off or some such. If you're feeling warm and fluffy leaving us a nice review on iTunes could be your act of kindness for the day.
Mar 9, 2019
Mar 9, 2019
28 min
In this Episode Natalie share her experience of adopting a 19month old girl with her husband. After what seemed like a period of normality some of her daughter's early live experiences manifest in her behaviour and ultimately led to them changing their parenting.
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.
Mar 2, 2019
Mar 2, 2019
50 min
We catch up on some correspondence and ponder the challenges of school's behaviour policies vs relational based models of behaviour management. We also discuss some of the challenges of parenting and the impact of vicarious trauma, the consider the need for therapeutic support and intervention for adoptive parents.
Scott's new venture is discussed and we both go awry when considering our geographical grasp of the route of his upcoming walk.
As always thanks for listening and if you're feeling benevolent or bored please head over to iTunes and leave a little review here .
Feb 16, 2019
Feb 16, 2019
27 min
In this episode of Adopters Stories Rosie tells her story of supporting her mother and her husband as they adopted three children. Its a hard story to hear and challenges the normal adoption narrative. The experience has had a pivotal impact on her career choices and subsequent life.
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.
Feb 9, 2019
Feb 9, 2019
1hr 5 min
In this episode Al speaks to Prof Beth Neil about upcoming research that the University of East Anglia are undertaking into the experiences of adoptees becoming parents and adopters becoming grandparents. The study aims to
- to provide a new understanding of the lived experiences and needs of adopted people who are now parents, and of adoptive parents who are now grandparents.
- to use these insights to inform the support of adopted children & young people, adopted adults, and the children of adopted adults.
- to inform future developments in adoption policy and practice.
If you would be interested in taking part or would like to ask more questions then the link to the website is here.
Needless to say Beth is more than happy to discuss a little bit about contact as well.
As always there's banter and flippery from da boyz and Al chats about his experience on a three day NVR (Non Violent Resistance) Training and more thoughts on the intervention.
Feb 2, 2019
Feb 2, 2019
21 min
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.
Jan 26, 2019
Jan 26, 2019
1hr 20 min
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.