Foster Care Fortnight: Illusion, Delusion and Confusion

In this episode of Foster Care Uncovered, Louise and Sarah return with their now-notorious mix of news, commentary and uncomfortable honesty as they take on the sector’s latest headlines, contradictions and carefully polished narratives. The episode opens with news from across the fostering landscape, including shifting government messaging, growing confusion around regional reforms, and the increasingly familiar gap between official communications and frontline understanding. The now-infamous “naughty step” award was heavily contested this week, and Sarah and Louise were spoilt for choice, telling us how difficult the decision was with the ‘standard’ so high. The main focus, however, is Foster Care Fortnight itself, what it claims to be, what it has become, and what it signals about the wider culture of recognition in the sector. Beneath the events, hashtags and campaigns, the conversation asks a more difficult question: whether visibility is translating into meaningful change for foster carers, or simply a more polished version of the same structural frustrations. Expect sharp commentary, sector insight, and an unfiltered look at the language, messaging and power dynamics shaping modern fostering, and why so many carers are increasingly asking what, exactly, is being celebrated. If you'd like to chat about this episode or any of our past episodes, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! All views shared in this podcast reflect the personal opinions of the hosts alone. They are not intended as factual assertions about any person or organisation, nor do they represent the views of any employer or professional body.