Members' Week | Why social work matters: values, and the difference we make

Ep 49 | The Annex A case

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.

CoramBAAF Conversations EP 48 | Effective Fostering Panels author interview with Elaine Dibben

Effective Fostering Panels is available to buy in our bookshop: https://corambaaf.org.uk/books/effective-fostering-panels In this short interview, Publications Manager Jo Francis sits down with Independent Consultant, Elaine Dibben to discuss the revised and updated Effective Fostering Panels published April 2026. We discuss how fostering panels have changed since the book’s first edition in 2003 due to evolving policy and practice level; particularly in relation to kinship care. Equally, how the book remains a crucial resource to support panels facing high turnover of members and the importance of maintaining consistency in recommendations. Elaine also shares her expert insight on the role of fostering panels in today’s fostering services, the crucial safeguarding role they play, and top tips for panel members, chairs and advisers. Listen to the author interview for details on: * What is the enduring appeal of the book Effective Fostering Panels? • Do fostering panels still have an important role? * What role do panels play in safeguarding? * What should panel members remember when taking part? * What should social workers keep in mind when attending panels? • What has been updated in the latest edition of the book? * How has the approach to kinship care changed? * Why is guidance like this book important for agencies? * Why is wider training and networking important for panel members? About the book The revised and updated effective fostering panels is for panel members and social workers. It is a guide that brings together all the information you need to know about regulations, standards and inspections concerning fostering panels. It also sets out good practice to agencies in the operation of effective panels, relevant to all fostering service providers. Although the fostering regulations apply in England only, agencies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will find much of this practice applicable to their work. This revised edition covers recent changes in practice around areas such as virtual panels, and includes a fully updated and expanded chapter on considering kinship foster carers at the panel.

Adoption & Fostering Journal #23 | Reflective fostering and international perspectives on adoption

This episode of the Adoption and Fostering Journal Podcast introduces the April 2026 issue, offering key insights for academics and social work professionals. Editor-in-Chief Dennis Golm discusses a major randomised controlled trial on the Reflective Fostering Programme, highlighting its impact on carers’ reflective functioning, stress, and burnout, while noting more mixed findings for child outcomes. The discussion emphasises the importance of evidence-based interventions in foster care.  The episode also explores research on conduct difficulties in children in care, comparisons between local authority and independent fostering provision in the UK, and international perspectives on adoption. Studies from the United States and Pakistan examine birth mothers’ motivations for adoption and the impact of stigma on adopted adolescents.  Overall, this issue brings together large-scale, global research addressing complex challenges in fostering and adoption, with important implications for policy, practice, and future research.

Members' Week | Why social work matters: values, and the difference we make

In this episode of the CoramBAAF Conversations podcast, James Bury speaks with Professor Samantha Baron, Interim Chief Executive of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), about the identity and future of social work. The conversation focuses on the importance of social work as a values-led, relational profession grounded in ethics, professional judgement and advocacy. We also discuss the role of membership organisations for social workers across the UK, including influencing policy, supporting professional development and strengthening the collective voice of the profession. Despite continuing pressures on the social care system, the discussion highlights the continued impact of social workers in improving people’s lives and the importance of maintaining a strong professional identity, confidence and voice across the sector.

Adoption & Fostering journal #22 | The Reflective Fostering Programme

In this episode, Adoption & Fostering Production Editor, Vicky Walker, and Editor-in-Chief, Dr Dennis Golm, are joined by Professor Nick Midgley (University College London) and Expert by Experience, Jackie Tripp, a kinship carer. Nick and Jackie talk about the Reflective Fostering Programme, an intervention designed to help carers support the children in their care. The Programme was evaluated as part of a large-scale randomised controlled trial, which showed that it was not only beneficial for carers, reducing stress and burnout and improving the carer–child relationship, but also cost-effective. While Nick outlines the study and its findings, Jackie describes its life-changing impact on her as a participant in the Programme.  For related resources and more episodes visit our website: https://corambaaf.org.uk/resources/corambaaf-conversations