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 ...