Blue Sky Fostering

Blue Sky Fostering - EP - 21 - Fostering at Christmas

Fostering at any time of the year has its challenges, but Christmas poses a unique set. Today we talk to one of our clinical practitioners and one of our Foster Carers, about preparing for Christmas, in the hope that you can take some of the straggles and use them, to make sure the festive period is special for everyone.   To find out more information about Blue Sky Fostering, please visit www.blueskyfostering.com    Take Care

Blue Sky Fostering - EP 20 - Childs I Foundation

Episode 20! When we started this I went sure we would record 5, let alone 20! But here we are and what better way to celebrate that milestone than by talking to our dear friends at the Childs I Foundation, Paula and Chris.

 

We have worked with Childs I for some years now and our work continues. Childs I have been working so hard during the COVID pandemic to support families in a different way across Uganda, whilst also maintaining the vital work they do. 

 

We talk about the work they are doing and how you can help, also how they have been working with government to influence the policy for the whole country. It was fascinating and I am honoured they took the time to talk to us

 

Find out more about Child's i Foundation:

www.childsifoundation.org

 

Register to attend the Open House Webinar at 6pm on Thursday, 19 November:

https://events.tapsimple.org/event/childs-i-foundation/open-house-webinar

 

Sign up to receive the latest updates on Child's i Foundation's work:

https://bit.ly/3pqTFyB

 

Join the Giving Circle:

https://www.childsifoundation.org/thegivingcircleuk

 

For more information on Blue Sky Fostering:

www.blueskyfostering.com 

 

Blue Sky Fostering EP19 - Recruitment Director Sarah Rocket

Really happy to talk to my good friend Sarah Rocket today, someone who has inspired me in my career, but has also been a part of Blue Sky for just over 15 years.

 

We talk charity work in Uganda, Recruiting Foster Carers and also what she believes makes a good foster carer., along with a few personal stories along the way

 

I really enjoyed it and I hope you do too.

 

Take Care

 

Ed

Blue SkyFostering - EP 18 - Sons & Daughters Month

October is the Fostering networks sons and daughters month and we caught up with a son of one of our Foster Carers to talk about what life is like growing up as part of a Fostering Family. We talked about the highs and lows and the challenges that you might face.

 

We also touched on what Greg has learned about himself but also how his parents helped him during what we decided to call his "fostering career"

 

I loved talking to him, I hope you can hear his kindness and compassion for those who have lived with him and his family, especially when talking about the good times.

 

If you like the podcast, please make sure to subscribe so when we upload you get to hear my voice straight away (what more could you want!?) and please be sure to leave a comment so we can pass anything on to Greg

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To find out more about Blue Sky Fostering please click here: https://www.blueskyfostering.com 

 

To find out more about the Fostering Networks Sons & Daughters Month, please click here: https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/get-involved/championing-fostering/sons-and-daughters-month 

Neurodevelopment Conditions Training - Live Follow Up Podcast

Listen to our somewhat "technical issue bugged" ,  reflection on the training and discussion around some of the areas further with Katie & Helen

Blue Sky Fostering - EP 15 - PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) conversation with a Foster Carer

Today we are joined by one of our foster carers to talk about PDA (Pathological Avoidance Disorder)

The PDA Society say...

[PDA Society Link: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk ]

"PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) is widely understood to be a profile on the autism spectrum, though we are still at an early stage in our understanding and PDA research is in its infancy.

Whilst autism is a widely recognised term, our understanding of the full breadth and complexity of the autism spectrum is still evolving.

A PDA profile of autism means that individuals share autistic characteristics …

• “persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction” and “restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, activities or interests” present since early childhood to the extent that these “limit and impair everyday functioning” (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5))
• often including a different sensory experience in relation to sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, vestibular, proprioception and interoception.

and also:

• have a need for control which is often anxiety related
• are driven to avoid everyday demands and expectations (including things that they want to do or enjoy) to an extreme extent
• tend to use approaches that are ‘social in nature’ in order to avoid demands
• present with many of the ‘key features’ of PDA rather than just one or two
• tend not to respond to conventional parenting, teaching or support approaches"

Blue Sky Podcast - Bonus Training Episode - Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Listen to the full session on the overview of Neurodevelopmental Conditions. Our Foster Carers can access the PDF by visiting the secure area of our website and logging in and follow along with the slides and resources

Blue Sky Fostering - EP 14 - Juliet "Play"

Today we catch up with Juliet to talk about play what is play what does it look like how does it help for young people to develop Juliet talks about resources that are available and some amazing ideas around the lower brainstem box

We hope you enjoy listening, take care

 

If you wanna get in touch with us please email ed@blueskyfostering.co.uk.

Blue Sky Fostering - EP 13 - AJ

We are joined in this issue by AJ to talk about life growing up as a young black man in foster care. The conversation is timely as AJ talks about bringing along change through discussion. We talk and reflect on AJ's personal perception of the Black Lives Matter protests and what kind of future he would like to see for others

 

We hope you enjoy listening 

Blue Sky Fostering - EP12 - Meltdowns with Helen & Shula

This episode we are joined again by our Clinical Lead here at Blue Sky, Helen and her Daughter Shula, to talk about "meltdowns" - What they look like from a young persons perspective and also from a clinical perspective. We talk rational and irrational fears and I struggle to actually talk, which makes a change!

 

Thanks for listening!