Welcome to the first FosterTalk Podcast. In this episode, recorded as a  roundtable discussion on zoom,  we discuss the current issues surrounding the foster care shortfall and what needs to be done to recruit, retain and support foster carers across the U.K.

Hosted by Rachel Cole, Director of Operations at FosterTalk, and Ruth Willetts, Head of Social Work and Development.

Meet our panellists

Alison Kindred Byrne 

Alison is the Co-founder of “To The Moon and Back Foster Care” which is based in Cambridge. She has over twenty years’ experience of supporting and working with children, to overcome their adverse childhood experiences as a frontline social worker, a writer of specialist child focused training courses and consultant to a wide range of public services and independent organisations linked to the supporting of children in care.

Jason Brooks 

Jason has a background in HR and runs his own training and development business, Brooks Business.  Based in Stockport, Jason has been a foster carer for the past 11 years, he sits on his local fostering panel and is now an independent Allegations Support Advisor for FosterTalk.

Alasdair G.F Kennedy 

Alasdair (aka The Sociable Social Worker) was fostered then adopted and is passionate about both, due to his lived experience. He has been a Social Worker for 27 years across focussing on fostering, adoption and front line services in Local Authorities and commercial agencies. Alasdair also authors a monthly column in Professional Social Work Magazine and Social Work News. Aside from his day job as an Operations Director (Fostering) he presents the most popular YouTube channel in the UK aimed at foster parents, adopters and qualified social workers.  

 Dr Carolyn Blackburn

 Dr. Carolyn Blackburn has taught in four Universities at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. Carolyn has worked on numerous research projects related to inclusion, disability and child/family wellbeing and foster care.  Carolyn is a member of the European Association on Early Childhood Intervention, an Early Years Prevention and Intervention Churchill Fellow, and an Associate Staff Member at the world leading Champion Centre in New Zealand.