ICYMI - this is our online conversation with our therapeutic parenting trainer, Stella.

Stella brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about fostering and adoption, and she shares how therapeutic parenting can be a game-changer for children who have endured trauma. You'll learn how recognizing children's behavior as a form of communication rather than a challenge can build stronger, more healing relationships. And Stella should know she is a former foster carer turned adoptive parent herself.

Through our conversation, we delve into the principles of attachment theory and discuss the profound impact early caregiving experiences have on a child's sense of safety and trust. Stella sheds light on the unique hurdles faced by children in the care system, including the devastating effects of multiple placements and the importance of creating a predictable and supportive environment. We also explore the heartbreaking realities of developmental trauma and how therapeutic parenting can provide the stability these children need to thrive.

Finally, we tackle the complexities of adopting traumatized children, especially for single parents. Stella offers actionable advice on seeking help, building a robust support network, and the critical role of continuous learning and training. By understanding and addressing children's emotional states, therapeutic parenting not only fosters resilience but also enables parents to build lasting connections with their children. Tune in to gain invaluable insights and practical strategies for nurturing children who have experienced significant life disruptions.

Learn more about fostering and adoption with Barnardo’s:
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/fostering-and-adoption

To learn more about fostering and adoption in NI, visit our Linktr.ee:
https://linktr.ee/barnardosfosteringni

To ask a question, give us some feedback or make a topic request, email us at:
BFANI@barnardos.org.uk

Foster belonging with us!

How would you navigate life if your childhood was marked by neglect and abuse? In this very special episode from our BFANI on Tour! series, we meet an English birth mum who experienced two of her three children being taken into foster care but then later, with her third child, found support from a Barnardo's in the shape of a Parent and Child foster placement.

Our birth mum recounts her own early life experiences and the fateful choices made whilst she was young, vulnerable and traumatised herself. She reflects on the heartache and loss of her children, navigating relationships with her children's foster carers and ultimately reveals how three months in a Parent and Child Foster placement turned her life around for the better.

Don't miss this extraordinary story of transformation and resilience, healing and empowerment.

Please be aware that, in this episode, we will be covering difficult and sensitive topics including domestic abuse and sexual violence - so please be mindful of your own self-care. Thank you.

Learn more about fostering and adoption with Barnardo’s:
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/fostering-and-adoption

To learn more about fostering and adoption in NI, visit our Linktr.ee:
https://linktr.ee/barnardosfosteringni

To ask a question, give us some feedback or make a topic request, email us at:
BFANI@barnardos.org.uk

Foster belonging with us!

BFANI is on tour! In a series of episodes we shall be meeting families and fellow team members from across the UK fostering and adoption services as we explore, in depth, some of the specific experiences, highs, lows and challenges facing families who foster and adopt.

This time, we're in Scotland where we meet Carole, a foster carer who specialises in short term, temporary fostering.

Carole shares her journey from casually supporting a neighbour to becoming a short term foster carer. Carol shares her experiences of navigating the initial excitement of new foster children, transitioning them into structured routines, working with birth families and children from diverse cultural backgrounds - and sitting with uncertainty in a time of change for the children placed with her. Carole provides a heartfelt and insightful look into the day-to-day life of fostering. She opens up about the impact these transitions have had on her family, especially with the arrival of her grandchildren, offering a relatable and eye-opening perspective for anyone considering fostering.

Learn more about fostering and adoption with Barnardo’s:
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/fostering-and-adoption

To learn more about fostering and adoption in NI, visit our Linktr.ee:
https://linktr.ee/barnardosfosteringni

To ask a question, give us some feedback or make a topic request, email us at:
BFANI@barnardos.org.uk

Foster belonging with us!