It can sometimes take but one moment in time to stir the soul. One image to encapsulate a reality that for many they had not seen and for others they did not want to see. Chances are if you are reading this, you use some form of social media. If you do, you will no…
There was a strong reaction to the first episode of ‘Protecting our Foster Kids’. Our social media channels evidenced quite clearly that the programme left many of us teary, angry and in the main disappointed. The carers were described in many different ways, ranging from “hideous” to “caring” to “unsupported”. The truth of the matter…
Foster Care Fortnight It’s Foster Care Fortnight 2015 and these next two weeks will see the sector talking to the rest of the country and for many, hearing something about fostering for the first time. Having worked in the sector for over 13 year I’d be forgiven for thinking that everyone must know what fostering…
I have always struggled with children being described as ‘angry’ or doing things because they ‘are angry’. How can a child or anyone be one simple emotion, unless it is to make things more straightforward and ‘tidy’ for the adults around them? Why is this such a problem for me? Because it seems so damning…
Following the latest proposal by the current government which could, as a result, find social workers at risk of being imprisoned if found guilty of willful neglect, I thought to myself ‘that’s a bit radical, what are they thinking?’ As I’ve pondered on it for the last few days I’ve come to the conclusion that…
Many of us have now seen the KFC advert or if not will do soon on a TV somewhere. In the advert a young boy is shown arriving on his first day of foster placement and sitting down with his foster carers to share KFC that evening. The story goes on to show him playing…
When we are doing our very best to care both emotionally and practically for a child who seems to be unaware of this and to reject our efforts, it can touch us in a deeply personal way. It may trigger a sense of frustration that our best does not appear to reach them or be…
Equine facilitated learning and equine therapy are growing in popularity throughout the UK and other countries. In general terms they use horses and ponies to help people learn about challenges they may be facing, and explore ways to work through these challenges. There are many types of equine facilitated learning and equine therapy. Stable Relationships…
Baby Bear was initially borne out of a sense of frustration rather than any creative urge to write my first children’s book! I was working for a domestic abuse organisation at the time supporting parenting and children impacted by living with domestic abuse and violence. I always took a range of books with me to…
What is a trauma ‘anniversary’ and what does it mean for those caring for children who have had a difficult, often traumatic start in life? Our body and brains ability to store trauma so that key events can trigger a reaction without us knowing why is linked to our primitive survival response. We remember how…