Christmas may be 'the most wonderful time of the year' but we can all agree most families will face a few ups and downs during the festive season. But what might that look like if you're also fostering a child who might have very mixed feelings about the season?

In this episode we chat to our foster carer, Marcy, as she shares her personal story of getting her foster child through the holidays and sheds light on the importance of managing expectations, the importance of consistency and finding ways to allow children to process feelings and regulate themselves during the Christmas period.

Join us as we explore the delicate balance between celebrating family traditions and catering to the emotional needs of foster children during this busy time of year.

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!

What if the path to parenthood looked different than you'd imagined? Join us on a heartfelt exploration of adoption in the UK, featuring Emma, an adopter who has journeyed through the highs and lows of IVF, alongside Sharon, the adoption lead from Northern Ireland, and Kat, the Scottish adoption lead. Together, we unpack the adoption process, especially following the heartbreak of fertility struggles.

This heartfelt conversation doesn't shy away from the complex emotions tied to infertility and adoption, such as grief and anger and we explore how these emotions can impact relationships. We also dive into the practical aspects of the adoption process, from assessment to panel. Whether you're contemplating adoption or simply want to understand more, we invite you to listen and connect with Barnardo's Fostering and Adoption in Northern Ireland for further insights.

To read more on Emma's journey, you can find her book, A Pastoral Theology of Childlessness here: https://scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334060512/a-pastoral-theology-of-childlessness

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!

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!

Meet Barnardo's foster carers, Gillian and Megan, sisters in law who support each other on their fostering journey. Together, they shed light on how their families support each other and reflect on the vital role support networks play in fostering.

In this engaging conversation, we dive into the heart of blended foster families, a world where birth children, adopted kids, and foster children grow up together. Gillian and Megan share their strategies for nurturing strong bonds with their foster children and reflect on the importance of a reliable support network, particularly when it comes to understanding trauma and the ways it can present.

Join us for this inspiring discussion with two foster carers supporting their foster children within one big family.

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!

Parent and child fostering is a very specialised type of fostering.

Parent and child placements give parents, with new babies or very young children, the opportunity to develop their parenting skills and gain support from a specially trained foster carer. These placements can help keep families together.

In this episode, meet Laura a passionate advocate of parent and child fostering who began her fostering journey with Barnardo's in 2015. We're also joined by Ben from our team who gives us an insight into application process and the skills required. We delve into the depths of parent and child fostering support, highlighting the crucial role of fostering connections and building trust.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights, experiences, and advice for those interested in this life-changing journey. Be sure to tune in and get an inside look into the world of parent and child 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!

Did you know Barnardo’s Fostering & Adoption NI is just one of a small group of voluntary adoption agencies here in Northern Ireland?

In this very special panel discussion, to mark Adoption Week, Adoption Routes, Family Care Adoption Services and Barnardo’s Fostering & Adoption NI, got together to discuss what it is like to adopt via a voluntary agency, their assessment and matching processes and the kinds of support and post-adoption care you can expect.

The session was followed by a Q&A session.

Meet the Panel:

Lesley Delaney from Adoption Routes

Adoption Routes

Brian Downey from Family Care

Family Care Adoption

Hilary Armstrong from Barnardo’s Fostering & Adoption

Barnardo's Fostering & Adoption NI

Join us as we demystify the process and help you select the right voluntary adoption agency that serves your needs best.

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!