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What if children with complex health needs didn’t have to grow up in hospitals or residential units, but could experience everyday family life instead with your help?

We sit down with Richard Powell, managing director of Credo Care, to unpack how specialist fostering makes that possible — and far more achievable than most imagine.

Across 25 years, Credo Care has built a model that treats foster carers as professionals and partners. Richard explains how the message is clear: you don’t need to be a medic to foster brilliantly; you need willingness to learn, consistency, compassion and a brilliant team at your back.

We also tackle the practical hurdles — from equipment and home adaptations to the patchwork of local funding — and how careful matching over weeks or months builds placements that last.

Richard shares why burnout prevention is built in, not bolted on: a large support‑worker team for everyday breathing room, dedicated respite carers who become part of the extended family, and a culture that honours joy alongside complexity. Outcomes reflect that care: few breakdowns, more permanence through adoption or special guardianship, and smooth transitions into adulthood via Shared Lives where needed.

Along the way, we dispel the biggest myth in disability‑focused fostering: that high medical needs mean high difficulty. With training, mentoring, and steady coordination with hospitals and local authorities, families discover that complex care can weave into ordinary routines — school runs, clubs, and quiet nights in.

If you’ve wondered whether fostering could be for you, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful roadmap and a challenge to think bigger about what home can mean.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your top takeaway — your share might be the reason a child finds a family.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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A name mispronounced, a laugh shared, and then the door opens onto a life where books were the only safe room in the house. We sit down with author and playwright Alan Dapré—63 children’s books and counting—to explore how a childhood in care, a brutal boarding school, and one compassionate nun shaped a creative practice built on dignity, humour, and hope. Alan takes us from libraries that felt like lifelines to Radio 4 plays about leaving care and ageing in care, and he shows how a single line—why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary—can become a working philosophy for kids who’ve been told to shrink.

The heart of the conversation is Max, a rescue dog with a rough first year who became the star of a tender picture book. Max’s history (passed around, frightened, trigger-stacked) mirrors what many children carry, and his transformation under love becomes a simple, blazing point: you are not your past; you are how you’re held now. We talk about reading in the age of tablets, vanishing libraries, and why a toddler lost in a page world is still radical. Alan brings craft insights, too—why writing what you know isn’t a cage but a compass, and how cutting a line can make room for an actor to say everything with one word.

Then comes a poem that stops time. Sixteen marks a cliff edge for too many young people in care—support drops, risk rises, and “corporate parenting” sounds like a bad joke when homework is done on a stool beside leaky pipes. From there we get practical: the perils of profit in placements, the need for local capacity, and a one-line banner anyone can carry—real homes for real kids. We also share our 10K-a-day fundraiser to build a proper platform for fostering stories that recruit new carers, one short, shareable clip at a time.

If you care about children, books, or building a fairer system, this conversation will stay with you. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge to act, and leave a review so more people can find these stories.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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A child doesn’t need every word to make sense; they need a safe space where rhythm, pictures, and patience invite them in. That’s the spirit of our conversation with author-illustrator Carly Ann Osborne, who blends classroom experience with creative storytelling to help neurodivergent children feel recognised. We explore how The Cute Newt draws from autistic traits and Quinn the Penguin captures ADHD energy, and why those pages matter most when a child says, “I do that.”

Carly shares hard-won insights from working in a mainstream school with neurodivergent pupils: listen beyond words, follow the child’s lead, and give communication more than one doorway. Some children speak in stories or metaphors, others in gestures, drawings, or movement. We talk about co-regulation, the calming power of routine, and simple tools like visual supports and movement breaks that foster trust. Along the way, we swap stories about fostering, where needs vary widely and progress often shows up weeks or months after the first try—proof that patience beats pressure.

We also dig into representation and access. From the first autistic Barbie to classroom bookshelves, seeing yourself on the page can dissolve shame and build confidence. Carly’s characters come from real encounters—a school pond full of newts, a traveller’s penguin photos, a child searching for a 3D-printed capybara—keeping the work grounded and relatable. And yes, we get into the realities of self-publishing versus traditional deals, how indie authors reach schools, and why clarity and craft matter more than celebrity. If you care about children’s mental health, inclusive education, and stories that validate different ways of being, you’ll find ideas you can use tonight at story time.

Subscribe for more conversations on fostering, neurodiversity, and children’s books that open doors. Share this episode with someone who needs fresh tools and leave a review to help others find the show.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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What does care feel like when you are the child being moved, matched, and measured? 'The Hidden Poet' who helps us to understand what it's like to be a powerless child being moved from placement to placement.

From the first emergency placement to the moment a teenager is told they are “independent” and handed a key. Through vivid poetry and first-hand stories, we trace how scarcity—too few social workers, foster carers, and children’s homes—turns protective intent into a carousel of rooms and rules, and why better matching depends on growing a diverse pool of carers.

We look honestly at children’s homes without easy labels. For some, a residential home offers safety and structure that family life did not. For others, the best chance is a stable foster placement that lasts long enough for identity, school, and friendships to settle.

The thread running through it all is trust: how long it takes to build, how quickly it can be shaken by moves, and what happens when a young person finally feels safe enough to exhale.

A powerful reading of “Sixteen” lays bare the cliff edge at leaving care—bare rooms, bills, and danger at the door—and asks a hard question: would loving parents push a child out like this?

Foster Carer Camilla explains why mentoring led her to foster, why she chose teenagers, and how months of slow, steady care can turn into the moment a child says, “I love you.” The message is clear and urgent: more carers mean better matches and fewer moves; stronger aftercare means a bridge, not a drop. If you care about children’s safety, dignity, and future, this conversation will stay with you.

If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people hear these stories and consider fostering. Your share might be the nudge that creates a new safe home.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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Grief doesn’t move in tidy stages, and goodbyes don’t have to look or sound the same. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with funeral director and embalmer Allyse Worland, a first‑generation professional who’s spent nearly seventeen years advocating for compassionate, modern funeral care. Allyse takes us inside a profession that’s shedding stereotypes—opening the doors to personal, participatory, and culturally sensitive services that genuinely help people heal.

We talk about the quiet revolution from standardised, mournful ceremonies to celebrations of life that feel true to the person: favourite music rather than generic hymns, story‑rich eulogies, photo walls, community gatherings and rituals that invite the whole family to take part. Allyse explains why clear options matter, how listening comes before logistics, and what happens when a funeral home becomes a place of care year‑round—hosting grief groups, partnering with local organisations, and pointing people to trusted online resources.

Money and stress sit close to the surface when loss hits. Allyse doesn’t dodge the reality of costs, state‑by‑state rules, or the rise of crowdfunding for unexpected deaths. Her remedy is transparency and dignity: explain the essentials, share alternatives without judgement, and build services around what the family values most. We also dive into the profession’s changing face—more young, first‑generation, and female directors—why mentorship beats gatekeeping, and how leadership rooted in safety and empathy outperforms old‑school authority.

Children are too often the forgotten mourners. Allyse shares practical ways to include them—simple roles, honest words, and space for their questions—so they gain agency and lasting, loving memories. Threaded throughout is a bigger truth: grief is non‑linear, and rituals help us re‑stitch daily life after a pattern breaks. If you care about modern funerals, grief literacy, and services that feel human, this conversation offers grounded insight and real‑world tools.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find thoughtful conversations about end of life.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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People, we need more people to consider becoming Foster carers which is a paid profession! See if this is for you and if you can get involved.

Dive into the heart of foster care with Elle, the passionate founder of Eastern Fostering Services. Her journey from nurse to fostering advocate spans over three decades, rooted in a childhood where fostering was "in her blood" through her experience working with Barnardo's.

Elle reveals the stark reality facing the UK's care system today – a deficit of 6,000 foster families while placement requests have skyrocketed from 50 to several hundred weekly. This growing crisis highlights why independent fostering agencies emerged as essential partners to local authorities, offering specialized support that consistently earns "good" to "outstanding" Ofsted ratings.

The conversation takes us behind closed doors to understand the profound trauma many fostered children carry. From children who eat under tables rather than at them to those unable to use basic cutlery, these behaviors reflect deep wounds that require patience, understanding, and specialized support. As Elle poignantly explains, healing sometime requires double the time a child spent in trauma before meaningful progress emerges.

We explore the potential of preventative "edge of care" services that could support birth families before separation becomes necessary, addressing the intergenerational cycles of trauma that often lead children into care. Elle challenges listeners to consider how society might better address root causes rather than symptoms – both in foster care and broader social issues.

For anyone considering fostering, Elle offers candid insight: "It's probably the hardest thing you'll ever do, but also potentially the most rewarding". Success comes in "little wins" – those precious moments when a child begins to trust, to heal, to believe that not all adults are the same. The strength of community also shines through as we learn how foster families support each other, creating networks where both carers and children find understanding and belonging.

Thinking about fostering or simply want to understand this vital service better? This episode offers a compassionate, eye-opening look at the challenges and profound rewards of providing a safe haven for our most vulnerable children.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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Discover the remarkable journey of Sir John Timpson, who transformed both his family's historic business and countless lives through revolutionary management practices and profound personal commitment to fostering children.

From the humble beginnings of a shoe shop in 1865, Sir John shares how Timpson evolved into a service empire built on a radical premise: trust your people completely. "There are only two rules," he explains. "Look the part and put the money in the till." This "upside-down management" approach has not only driven business success but created a platform for extraordinary social impact.

The heart of our conversation explores the parallel between Sir John's business philosophy and the fostering journey he shared with his late wife Alex. Together they fostered 90 children, an experience that profoundly shaped their approach to business. "Alex worked on instinct," Sir John reflects. "She trusted people to give them a lift in life." This instinct-led compassion became the foundation for Timpson's revolutionary approach to employment, including hiring ex-prisoners (now over 10% of their workforce) and creating programs like "Dreams Come True" that fulfill employee wishes ranging from family reunions to medical treatments.

We delve into the challenges facing foster care today, with Sir John advocating for less bureaucracy and more trust in foster carers' judgment. His passionate belief that children benefit most when carers are trusted to include them fully as family members offers valuable insight for anyone considering fostering or working within the care system.

What emerges is a powerful testament to how compassion can drive both business success and meaningful social change. As Alex Timpson simply put it: "You can be nice and make lots of money." Join us for this inspiring conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about business, family, and what it means to truly care for others.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1

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A family transformed by fostering shares their raw, honest journey of opening their home to two young children from backgrounds of neglect. After a year of fostering two siblings who arrived unable to use cutlery, without proper clothing, and never having experienced boundaries, this family reveals the beautiful transformation they've witnessed—and experienced themselves.

What makes this conversation particularly insightful is the multiple perspectives shared: Sarah, who moved out shortly after the children arrived, describes watching the progress from outside "the hurricane"; Shania, who relates to the children through her own challenging childhood, sees herself in their journey; and Rachel, still living at home while studying for GCSEs, experiences the day-to-day reality of creating consistency and boundaries amid the chaos. Together, they paint a complete picture of fostering's challenges and profound rewards.

The family discusses their most powerful revelation—that fostering filled "a hole in our family that we didn't know about until it was filled." As they approach a significant milestone where the children will likely remain permanently in their care, they reflect on the importance of routine, therapeutic approaches, and unfailing consistency in helping these children thrive. Despite the difficulties, their unanimous message rings clear: fostering has been absolutely worth it, transforming not just the children's lives but completing their family in ways they never anticipated.

Considering becoming a foster carer? This family's journey shows that while the path isn't always easy, the opportunity to make a profound difference in children's lives—and discover unexpected completeness in your own family—makes every challenge worthwhile. Have you ever considered how fostering might transform your life too?

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1