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Artwork for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Al Coates & Scott Casson-Rennie
Adoption
Fostering
Mental Health
Foster Care
Trauma
Social Work
Parenting
Child Welfare
Family Dynamics
Kinship Care
Adoption Disruption
Therapeutic Parenting
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Adoptive Families
Child Development
Social Media
Education
Child Trauma
FASD
Kindness

Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes124Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ParentingKids & Family

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

Latest Episodes

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Hello and welcome to conversations from the AandF podcast.

In this episode I speak to Bethan Pell a PhD Student in Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences. Her Phd is focused on developing a theoretical understanding of Child and Adolescent t... more

Hello and welcome to the latest episode of  the AandF podcast.

In this episode we rage across a couple of matters that impact on many families, power dynamics with social workers. After a Tramadol start and Scott's good news we get distracted by the... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Fran Hill
Author of the Jackie Chadwick series; has personal experience with foster care
Author, Jackie Chadwick series
Episode: Conversations - Author Fran Hill talks Fostering
Simone Harch
Psychotherapist, NVR practitioner, adoptive parent
Adoption East Midlands (pilot program participant)
Episode: Conversations - Simone Harch talks adopter wellbeing.
Matthew Page
care-experienced adult, former foster carer, trustee of the Fostering Network, adoption celebrant
Fostering Network
Episode: Conversations - Matthew Page
Niketa Sanderson-Gillard
Social worker, Churchill fellow, founder and CEO of Why Care
Why Care
Episode: Conversations - Fostering Consultation with Niketa Sanderson-Gillard
Mark Owers
Chief executive of the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
Episode: Episode 229 - Mark Owers and Fostering Consultation
Michael Gaither
Transracial adoptee with a focus on helping transracial families navigate adoption experiences
Self-identified advocate and educator on transracial adoption
Episode: Conversations - Michael Gaither a transracial adoptee
Preston Davey
Guest mentioned in relation to adoption discussions and a specific case
Episode: Episode 228 - Adoption Apology, Preston Davey and more.
Claire Agius
Academic and adoptive parent who researched challenges faced by adoptive parents
Manchester Metropolitan University (PhD work)
Episode: Conversations - Dr Claire Agius, Adopter Wellbeing
Helen Bonnick
Retired social worker and campaigner for CPA awareness
Holes in the Wall
Episode: Conference Special - Reframing Professional Practice on Child to Parent Abuse.

Hosts

Al Couls
Host of the Adoption and Fostering Podcast; combines personal experience with professional discourse
Hayley Muir
Co-host guiding discussions and introducing guests; brings lived experience in fostering and adoption

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 144 ratings
  • Brilliant

    Excellent and multifaceted discussion about everything adoption and foster care from the viewpoint of adoptive families and activists. Also fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    - allears -
    Germanya year ago
  • Thank you

    So helpful to every involved and n adoption

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Katesh99
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Brilliant !

    I love listening to the adoption and fostering podcast. It’s informative , relative and as a professional supports me hearing different voices.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vicky1494&
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • So brilliant

    I have found this the most informative and demystifying source in my own personal run up to becoming a foster parent (fingers crossed). Lots of pointers to approaches and perspectives and resourses. Thank you!!! (Also love the funny banter)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    not just
    United Kingdom5 years ago
  • Love the Conversations!

    New to this podcast, discovered through a link to Shushma! Not new to adoption ❤️ I have really enjoyed the conversations, in particular recent listens with birth mum Angela, and then adopter Laura. Wow hats off to Laura... what an extraordinary story requiring so much bravery and resilience. I will keep listening! ❤️❤️❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Angelhoneylove
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the candid, humanizing conversations and practical insights for adopters and professionals.
They value the range of guest voices, from adopters to practitioners, and the show's balance of humor and gravity.
Sound quality is uneven in some episodes, but the content and guest quality frequently compensate.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Conversations - Author Fran Hill talks Fostering
Q: Where can listeners find your books and how should they support the release in bookstores?
Fran suggests checking major retailers like Amazon, Blackwell's, and Waterstones, as well as local independent bookshops, and encourages readers to ask their local shop to stock the titles to help with visibility.
Conversations - Author Fran Hill talks Fostering
Q: Is there another novel coming after Home Bird, and how is that shaping your planning with publishers?
Fran confirms she has written a third novel and describes the publishing discussions aimed at making it a saleable book, while ensuring it remains accessible as part of the series with standalone appeal.
Conversations - Author Fran Hill talks Fostering
Q: What were the truths that you pulled out of that experience in terms of Jackie's steps into independence?
Fran explains that Jackie's journey reflects real tensions around independence: the pull of loyalty to foster parents, the pressure to become self-reliant, and the realization that asking for help is not a failure but a step toward a healthier independence.
Conversations - Matthew Page
Q: What inspired you to become a foster carer yourself, and how did that path unfold?
He explains that at around 15 he expressed a desire to be a parent and foster, was encouraged by his foster mom, and eventually pursued fostering despite challenges. The experience was meaningful for him and pivotal in shaping his commitment to helping others through care work.
Conversations - Adoptive Parent Kaitlin
Q: Did you seek post-adoption support, and if so, what was the response?
We initially didn't seek support, believing we could manage, but later the deputy head suggested more help as behaviors escalated, leading to a referral for a specialist school and additional support.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Adoption and Fostering Podcast

What is The Adoption and Fostering Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program zeroes in on adoption and fostering, mixing personal stories with policy, practice, and systems-level discussion. Episodes frequently explore long‑term family dynamics, trauma and attachment, safeguarding, and the realities of care experiences—from kinship to long‑term foster journeys—alongside practical guidance (training approaches, legal changes, and navigating services). A standout characteristic is the balance between lived experience and professional insight, with both adopters and practitioners sharing candid perspectives, humor, and resilience. Listeners are likely drawn to realistic perspectives, empathetic storytelling, and actionable takeaways for families, social workers, and policymakers alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Adoption and Fostering Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Adoption and Fostering Podcast get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

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How many subscribers and views does The Adoption and Fostering Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Adoption and Fostering Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Adoption and Fostering Podcast:

1. Adoption, Fostering & Tea: The New Family Social Podcast
2. Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
3. Adopter Stories by Adoption Now
4. File on 4 Investigates
5. Ambridge on the Couch - this week on The Archers

How many episodes of The Adoption and Fostering Podcast are there?

The Adoption and Fostering Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 124 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Adoption and Fostering Podcast?

Recent guests on The Adoption and Fostering Podcast include:

1. Fran Hill
2. Simone Harch
3. Matthew Page
4. Niketa Sanderson-Gillard
5. Mark Owers
6. Michael Gaither
7. Preston Davey
8. Claire Agius

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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