Who’s Been on the Blinis? Politics, PR and Exploitation

While the Westminster set enjoy salmon blinis, caviar and £100 bottles of Pol Roger, the people holding children’s social care together are exhausted, undervalued and walking away. This week on Foster Care Uncovered, Sarah and Louise look at the politics behind children’s social care reform, the arrival of new leadership, and whether the promise of listening to people beyond Westminster will finally reach the frontline. We ask whether glossy announcements, photo opportunities and symbolic reforms are replacing the difficult work of actually fixing a system in crisis. Then we tackle the uncomfortable conversation nobody likes to have: are foster carers being exploited by the very system that depends on them? From hidden costs and emotional labour, to fear, power imbalance and feeling disposable when things go wrong, we explore what happens when a workforce built on relationships is left without enough power, protection or voice. Plus… we investigate the important questions. Who was at the party? Who got the blinis? And has anyone remembered to ask the foster carers? 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. Useful Links JOIN FOSTERWIKI TODAY https://fosterwiki.com/register/