CoramBAAF Conversations

'Adoption & Fostering' journal #15 | Looking past the stereotypes – Disabled people as foster carers

There is a great need for more foster carers in the UK. The lack of foster carers means that children who need foster homes have less choice about where they might live, often meaning they are not fostered near to their families and schools. In recent years, foster care organisations have recruited more and more foster carers from ethnic minorities, single foster carers and non-heterosexual foster carers.
However, Disabled people do not seem to have been reached out to as potential foster carers. This research study set out to explore why Disabled people have not been recruited, especially as many would be likely to have the types of skills that fostering requires.
In this episode, Peter Unwin and Becki Meakin discuss their research into the underrepresentation of disabled people as foster carers, highlighting the systemic barriers and stereotypes that prevent their inclusion. They outline how fostering agencies can better recruit and support disabled carers through inclusive practices, training, and a shift away from deficit-based thinking.
Read the article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/03085759251314508#:~:text=A%20web%2Dbased%20review%20of,successful%20fostering%2C%20indicating%20the%20extreme

Episode 40 | Child sexual abuse in foster and kinship care, special guardianship and adoption

In this episode of CoramBAAF Conversations, Jo Francis (Publications Manager) is joined by Hedy Cleaver and Wendy Rose OBE to talk about their Good Practice Guide, Child sexual abuse in foster and kinship care, special guardianship and adoption: Learning from safeguarding reviews 2007–2022. 
They discuss findings from 27 safeguarding reviews involving 87 children, highlighting the risks posed by serial abusers, the barriers to disclosure for children, and how perpetrators often avoid scrutiny. The conversation also covers child-on-child abuse, the need for thorough risk assessments, and the importance of professionals remaining alert to signs of harm. 
Hedy and Wendy emphasise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and introduce two resources: a detailed guide for practitioners and a shorter companion for all professionals working with children. 
Hedy Cleaver is an Emeritus Professor at Royal Holloway College, University of London, with experience as a social worker and child psychologist. The findings from her research have had an identifiable impact on UK policy and practice in respect of children and families throughout the past 35 years. 
Wendy Rose OBE held children’s policy responsibilities at the Department of Health as Assistant Chief Inspector, following social work and senior management experience in the NHS and local authority, and a Senior Research Fellow position at the Open University. She was a professional adviser to the Scottish Government on developing its children’s policy, Getting it Right for Every Child. She also worked with the Welsh Government on its safeguarding reforms and was an Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University. 

Adoption & Fostering journal #14 | Outcomes from attachment-based group interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents

Research has shown that group-based interventions grounded in attachment theory can help carers better understand the emotional needs of children in care and develop strategies to manage challenging behaviours. However, despite their promise, there is still limited high-quality evidence on how effective these attachment-focused group programs truly are for both carers and children. 
In this episode, Dr. Dennis Golm explores the findings of a recent systematic review examining outcomes for foster carers and adoptive parents who participated in attachment-based group interventions. He speaks with the review’s authors: Dr. Ranjitha David, a child and adolescent psychiatrist with the CAMHS Crisis Team in Nottingham; Dr. Pallab Majumder, also a child and adolescent psychiatrist based in Nottingham; and Natasha Dembrey, a paediatric trainee (PT3). Together, they discuss the current evidence, practical implications, and future directions for supporting carers and children through attachment-informed approaches. 
Read the article: Outcomes from attachment-based group interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents: A systematic review

Adoption & Fostering journal #13 | Vol.49 Issue 1 introduction with Dr Dennis Golm and Vicky Walker

The March issue (Volume 49 Issue 1) of the Adoption & Fosteringjournal is out now and free for CoramBAAF members to access. Dr Dennis Golm and Vicky Walker talk us through the articles and themes in this issue.
In this episode, we explore the critical question posed by Editor-in-Chief Dennis Golm in the latest edition of Adoption & Fostering – just how inclusive and diverse are current UK foster care research and practice? The March issue (Volume 49, Issue 1) highlights the gap between growing awareness and meaningful change, calling for more representative research and inclusive practices.
Adoption & Fostering is the only quarterly peer-reviewed journal dedicated to adoption, fostering and kinship issues. Over the years, it has gained an international reputation as one of the world’s leading sources of knowledge for academics, practitioners and all those concerned with childcare practice and research.
Edited by Dr Dennis Golm, Adoption & Fostering is published by SAGE on behalf of the CoramBAAF Adoption & Fostering Academy.
Find out more: https://corambaaf.org.uk/adoption-fostering-journal-13-vol49-issue-1-introduction-dr-dennis-golm-and-vicky-walker

Episode 39 | Encouraging adoption in Black African and Caribbean communities

Adoption rates vary significantly across different ethnic groups, with Black Caribbean and Black African children facing disproportionately longer waiting times. According to the Government’s Ending Racial Disparity report (2022), Black Caribbean children wait an average of 30 months for adoption, while Black African children wait 33 months—compared to the overall average of 21 months and just 20 months for White British children. 
Jennifer Kwakye is the Adoption Outreach Ambassador for Coram Ambitious for Adoption, an organisation dedicated to recruiting families who can meet the needs of children waiting for a permanent home. In her role, Jennifer works to raise awareness of adoption within African and Caribbean communities by engaging with local groups, organisations, and major employers. Through community outreach, online advocacy, and information events, she aims to challenge the disparities and stigmas surrounding adoption. 
In this conversation, Jennifer speaks with Jane Poore, CoramBAAF’s Adoption Consultant, about the importance of finding children a stable, loving home while preserving their cultural heritage and identity. They explore the challenges faced when recruiting Black adopters, and the vital support available for adoptive parents and prospective adoptive parents. 
Adoption systems have historically been shaped by white-centric values, making the process less accessible and inclusive for families from diverse backgrounds. To truly address adoption disparities, Black adopters must see themselves represented in the workforce, and the system must evolve to be more inclusive of all cultures and identities.
Find out more: Episode 39 | Encouraging adoption in Black African and Caribbean communities | CoramBAAF

Adoption & Fostering journal #12 | Child to parent violence and aggression with Dr Morvwen Duncan and Hetty Verhagen

Dr Dennis Golm hosts a conversation between Morvwen Duncan and Hetty Verhagen about child to parent violence and aggression. They combine their research, practice and experiences of working with children and their families to explore the topic. 
Dr Morvwen Duncan is a Principal Clinical Psychologist and researcher, currently working across the NHS in a Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team and in private practice at The Lotus Psychology Practice. Dr Duncan talks with us about her research exploring primary and secondary trauma in adoptive parents. 
Hetty is an independent Therapeutic Social Worker, a lecturer in social work at the University of Leeds, and the author of Parenting Matters: Parenting a child affected by child to parent violence and aggression. Her background is in adoption and fostering services, and worked in an adoption support team and was part of the team that set up adoption support at adoption matters. 
This episode was inspired by Morvwen’s article in Adoption & Fostering journal, from Volume 48 Issue 2. Members, sign in to read the article for free. 

Adoption & Fostering journal #11 | Vol.48 Issue 3 introduction with Dr Dennis Golm and Vicky Walker

Dr Dennis Golm (Journal Editor) and Vicky Walker (Production Editor) introduce Volume 48 Issue 3-4 of our 'Adoption & Fostering' journal. The final instalment of Volume 48 is a bumper issue, containing eight research articles.
Wellbeing, adolescence and the role of the government are key themes in this edition. For more information about the journal or the table of contents for the issue, visit our website. Members, remember to sign in to access the journal.
www.corambaaf.org.uk

Adoption & Fostering journal #10 | Vol.48 Issue 2 introduction with Dr Dennis Golm and Jo Francis

Dr Dennis Golm (Journal Editor) and Jo Francis (Publications Manager) introduce Volume 48 Issue 2 of our Adoption & Fostering journal.  
They talk us through Dennis' editorial about ‘Breaking the taboo: Let’s talk about child-to-parent violence’, and talk us through each article in this issue. 
For more information about the journal or the table of contents for the issue, click here. Members, remember to sign in to access the journal.

Episode 38 | The AFDiT Framework

Dr Tam Cane joins Jane Poore, CoramBAAF Adoption Consultant, to talk about the Adoption Framework for Diversity and Inclusion in Transracial adoption, also known as the AFDiT Framework The framework is an initiative by Adoption England, in collaboration with the University of Sussex and The British Academy.
It aims to improve positive identity outcomes for children in transracial adoption. It was developed through a process of co-creation involving social work practitioners, individuals with lived experiences of transracial adoption, and organisations including CoramBAAF and Adoption South East. The AFDiT Framework is seen as a groundbreaking publication that underscores the commitment to enhancing the adoption experience and ensuring better support for children and families involved in transracial adoption.
Dr Tam Cane is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex. Dr Tam Cane's research interests centre around HIV reproductive health and adoption. Over the past few years, she has researched and published peer-reviewed articles around HIV-related reproductive health, adoption, problematic and unhealthy alcohol misuse and contextual safeguarding.
Find out more at corambaaf.org.uk!
Intro and outro music by MoodMode - Groovy Ambient Music: https://pixabay.com/music/funk-groovy-ambient-funk-201745/

Episode 37 | My adoption journey with Al Coates

In celebration of National Adoption Week, Jane Poore is joined by Al Coates. They talk about a range of elements that were a part of Al’s journey as a parent, adopter, foster carer, and social worker. In 1999, Al and his wife Paula adopted a sibling group of three, later expanding their family by adopting two children they had fostered, followed by their sibling in 2013
Al became a qualified social worker in 2013 and, two years later, advanced to the role of a social work practice educator. With over 20 years of experience working with adoptive families and foster carers, he has dedicated his career to training and advising parents and carers on managing challenging behaviours in children.
Drawing on both his personal and professional experiences, Al is also a qualified advanced non-violent resistance practitioner, specialising in supporting families facing difficult dynamics. Beyond his hands-on work, Al is a passionate advocate for adoption-related issues, lobbying for change and raising awareness. He hosts the weekly Adoption & Fostering Podcast and contributes articles on topics such as childhood challenging, violent, and aggressive behaviour.
Find out more at corambaaf.org.uk!
Intro and outro music by MoodMode - Groovy Ambient Music: https://pixabay.com/music/funk-groovy-ambient-funk-201745/