What happens when more children need care — but there are fewer homes to support them?

In this episode of Care Visions Professional Talk, Professor Claudia Bernard (Goldsmiths, University of London) joins Humphrey Hawksley to explore the growing pressure on the UK care system.

Drawing on decades of experience in social work and research, Professor Bernard explains why the system is under strain — and what’s changed over the past 30 years.

This conversation covers:

• Why more children are entering care — often later, with more complex needs
• The shortage of foster carers and residential homes
• How trauma, poverty, race, gender and class shape outcomes
• Why relationship-based social work is becoming harder
• The rise in complexity facing practitioners
• The reality behind “county lines” and exploitation
• Whether children are always best placed in family settings
• The role of private providers in children’s care

This is an honest, grounded discussion about the realities behind the system — and the difficult questions that don’t have easy answers.

Final thought:
If children don’t have hope, what do they have?

Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families.

Explore all episodes and resources:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Listen and follow:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cG6jiszfjSBvyLsFjfpre

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareVisionsTalks

Follow on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/carevisionstalks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareVisionsTalks

Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates:
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Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.

CHILDHOOD IN CRISIS

Why are so many children struggling today – and why does no one seem to have a clear answer?

In this Care Visions Family Talk: Spotlight episode, host Lucy Johnston speaks to world-renowned trauma expert and bestselling author Dr Gabor Maté about the rising levels of anxiety, depression, ADHD, eating disorders and emotional distress in children.

As diagnoses increase and waiting lists grow, this conversation asks a deeper question:
What if we’ve misunderstood childhood completely?
Dr Maté challenges the idea that conditions like ADHD are primarily genetic, and instead explores how stress, environment and modern life are shaping children’s brains and behaviour. From early development and attachment to school systems, smartphones and family pressure, this episode looks at what’s really driving the crisis in childhood mental health.
This is not an easy listen – but it is an essential one.


#ChildhoodInCrisis
#GaborMate
#DrGaborMate
#FamilyTalkSpotlight
#CareVisionsTalks
#ADHD
#ChildMentalHealth
#Parenting
#Trauma
#ChildhoodTrauma
#MentalHealthAwareness
#AnxietyInChildren
#DepressionInChildren
#Attachment
#ScreenTime
#ModernParenting
#EmotionalDevelopment
#BrainDevelopment
#Fostering
#CareExperienced

Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families.

Explore all episodes and resources:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Listen and follow:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cG6jiszfjSBvyLsFjfpre

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareVisionsTalks

Follow on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/carevisionstalks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareVisionsTalks

Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.

Children are growing up on screens earlier than ever — but what is it doing to their development, wellbeing and safety?

In this episode of Care Visions Family Talk, host Lucy Johnston speaks with Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, about the real impact of smartphones and social media on children’s lives.

From rising anxiety and sleep issues to exposure to harmful content and online grooming, Mary shares what children and families are experiencing right now — and why this is becoming a public health issue.

The conversation explores:
Why screen use is starting younger than ever
The link between smartphones and anxiety, low mood and self-esteem
What children are actually seeing online (and why it’s worse than adults think)
Whether banning social media would help — or create new risks
Why delaying devices could make a difference
The role of parents, schools and government in keeping children safe
This is not about blame. It’s about understanding what’s changed — and what needs to happen next.


#childrenandsmartphones #screentimechildren #socialmediasafety #onlinesafetychildren #parentingdigitalage #childdevelopmentscreens #anxietychildren #smartphonesandkids #maryglasgow #childrenfirstscotland #lucyjohnston #familytalkpodcast #carevisions #socialmediaban #onlinegroomingawareness #childmentalhealth

Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families.

Explore all episodes and resources:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Listen and follow:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cG6jiszfjSBvyLsFjfpre

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareVisionsTalks

Follow on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/carevisionstalks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareVisionsTalks

Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.