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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, we sit down with Joel - who took the leap into fostering with his husband Jake after 13 years together. Joel shares the honest, emotional, and inspiring story of their journey: from navigating the approval process and welcoming two emergency placements, to taking four children on their first-ever holiday abroad.

We talk about:
💛 What led Joel and his husband Jake to choose fostering over adoption or surrogacy
💙 What the assessment process is really like - and why it's less scary than you think
🌟 The highs of creating lifelong memories for children in care
💔 The heartbreak of a fostering journey ending — and how they got through it
❤️ Why Joel says fostering is "the best thing we ever did"

Whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, a couple, or simply someone with love to give — this episode is for you.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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What happens when your fostering journey takes an unexpected turn?

In this episode of Voices of Fostering, Helen sits down with Scott — a foster carer with a story of an unexpected journey to tell.

Scott and his then-wife set out to foster a sibling group, got exactly what they hoped for, and were well on their way — until their marriage broke down. Rather than walk away, both chose to continue fostering as solo carers, putting the children's stability first and showing them what an amicable separation can look like.

Now a Stayover (respite) carer, Scott opens up about:

• Why he and his ex-wife chose to start fostering
• Navigating the approval process and what to really expect
• How they handled separation while keeping the children's wellbeing at the centre
• What stayover fostering is and how it fits around a busy, travel-heavy career
• Why he believes there's a type of fostering for everyone

Whether you're curious about fostering or somewhere along your own journey, Scott's story is a powerful reminder that fostering can fit into your life — whatever it looks like.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube

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In this episode of Voices of Fostering, experienced foster carers Travis and Marisol sit down with Tim Barclay, CEO of National Fostering Group, for an honest conversation about the realities of foster care—from both sides.

Discover how carer feedback shapes decisions at the highest level, why innovations like Magic Notes are transforming supervising social worker visits, and what it's like to advocate for children facing increasingly complex needs.

Travis and Marisol don't hold back—they share what's working, what's challenging, and why resilience and authenticity matter so much in fostering. Tim opens up about staying grounded, the importance of support groups, and how National Fostering Group is fighting for better resources from local authorities and other health services.

Key Topics:
✅ How carer feedback drives real change
✅ The game-changing Magic Notes innovation
✅ Supporting children with complex needs
✅ Navigating local authority challenges
✅ Why foster carer support groups matter
✅ What makes a great supervising social worker relationship
✅ The future of foster care support

Whether you're a foster carer, thinking about fostering, or work in the care sector, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how fostering agencies can truly put carers and children first.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and YouTube