CoramBAAF Conversations

Read the journal: https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/ad...

Visit the bookshop: https://corambaaf.org.uk/books

Adoption & Fostering 27 | ‘You think it’s your own parenting, don’t you?’: The experiences of adoptive parents of care-experienced children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in England

As part of the Adoption & Fostering centenary podcast series marking 100 years since the Adoption Act 1926, co-presenters Dennis Golm and Anthony Green are joined by Dr Alan Price and Professor Raja Mukherjee to discuss their article, “You Think It’s Your Own Parenting, Don’t You?”: The Experiences of Adoptive Parents of Care-Experienced Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in England.

The conversation explores what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is, how prenatal alcohol exposure can affect children’s development, and why FASD remains widely under-recognised despite being one of the most common causes of neurodevelopmental difficulties. Drawing on research with adoptive parents, the episode examines the challenges families face when seeking diagnosis, support and understanding from education, health and social care services. Alongside these challenges, the discussion highlights the strengths, talents and potential of children and young people with FASD, and considers how greater awareness, earlier intervention and strengths-based support can improve outcomes for children and their families.

Read the latest issue: https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/adoption-fostering-journal Visit our bookshop: https://corambaaf.org.uk/books

To mark 100 years since the Adoption Act 1926, this episode of the Adoption & Fostering podcast explores the complex history of domestic adoption for racially minoritised children in the UK. Co-presenters Dennis Golm and Anthony Green are joined by Dr Derek Kirton, whose article traces more than 50 years of debate, policy change and practice development in this area.

The conversation examines key milestones, including the British Adoption Project and the Soul Kids campaign, and explores the rise of ethnic matching policies, the controversy surrounding transracial adoption, and the concept of institutional racism within adoption services.

Drawing on research evidence, lived experience and contemporary frameworks such as ARIT, the discussion considers what is known about identity, belonging and outcomes for adopted children. The episode concludes with reflections on current challenges and practical recommendations for government, adoption agencies and practitioners working to create a more equitable and culturally responsive adoption system.

Read the article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/03085759261462194  Explore the Adoption & Fostering Journal: https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/adoption-fostering-journal

Visit our bookshop: https://corambaaf.org.uk/books

As part of the Adoption & Fostering journal's special centenary issue, this podcast explores what adopted people and their families need from post-adoption support, both now and in the future. Hosts Anthony Green and Dennis Golm are joined by researchers Mark Kennedy and Andrea Bujor to discuss their article, Post-adoption support needs and implications for future practice: a systematic review. Drawing on evidence from 76 studies across several countries, the review brings together research on the challenges and support needs experienced by adopted people throughout their lives.

The discussion covers key themes including mental health, trauma, attachment, neurodevelopmental conditions, education, identity, loss and grief, and contact with birth relatives. The authors reflect on how these needs often overlap and change over time, highlighting the importance of support that extends beyond childhood and into adulthood.

Read the Adoption & Fostering Journal on our website: https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/adoption-fostering-journal 

Visit out bookshop: https://corambaaf.org.uk/books  

Sign up to hear about the journal: https://corambaaf.org.uk/subscribe 

This episode of the Adoption and Fostering Journal Podcast introduces the July 2026 issue, offering key insights for academics and social work professionals. 

Editor in chief Dennis Golm discusses David Zammitt and colleagues’ work on fetal alcohol syndrome disorder diagnoses. Noting that this is the first study of FASD in Scotland and that the UK has one of the highest rates of prenatal alcohol exposure in the world, Dennis discussed the difficulty of diagnosing the condition and the continuing stigma attached it, which can impact the way in which adoptive parents and their children are treated. 

Other articles in the issue under discussion include work on adult adoptees, including a study on how they themselves deal with being parents, and a timely study on the mental health of children looked after before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

There are also legal notes reviewing recent cases in the Scottish and Northern Irish courts and a Health Note on the sometimes overlooked importance of oral health as part of initial health assessments for children in care. 

CoramBAAF 

We are the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working across adoption, fostering and kinship care. We provide information, best practice guidance, advice, training and resources to support our members and influence policy to improve outcomes for children and young people.

In this podcast, we are joined by Legal Consultant, Alexandra Conroy Harris and Adoption Consultant, Jane Poore as they discuss CoramBAAF’s recent role as intervenor in a High Court Case: Confidential Prospective Adopters v BM & Ors.

 

The discussion unpacks some of the legal and practice issues surrounding a potential disclosure of Annex A reports in court proceedings. CoramBAAF intervened in this case to highlight the potential consequences of a legal decision on the disclosure of the Annex A report, as well as the potential impact this precedent would place on practitioners, agencies and, most importantly, children and families.

 

Join the discussion to understand how court interventions work in practice, the role we play in representing our members, and the wider context of legal decisions on the adoption sector.