The Forum is a podcast by Staf, Scotland's membership organisation for all those who support young people leaving care. Join us as we talk to people in the sector about issues that affect care leavers, particularly in their transition to adulthood and interdependence.

Episode 5: Talking Poverty - In conversation with SallyAnn Kelly, CEO Aberlour

Staf CEO Jo Derrick speaks to Staf Chair and CEO of Aberlour SallyAnn Kelly about poverty, the pandemic and the potential for a care leaver Basic Income in Scotland. We discover the huge rise in the number of families claiming financial support during the pandemic and asks that, in relation to the notion of a Universal Basic Income that, 'as a country we need to step up to the plate and offer unconditional guarantees for our young people in a way we have never done before.' 

Episode 4: Shannon's Box: making entering care a little easier

Shannon's Box was created by Shannon Brown to make entering care a little easier for children and young people. The box contains items carefully selected by Shannon, and was influenced by her own experience of entering care, with input from other young people with care experience. Supported by Staf, in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, Shannon has made her dream a reality.

In this episode of The Forum we speak to young people who have received Shannon’s Box in East Ayrshire, and the workers who have supported them, on the difference the box has made to entering care.

Episode 3: Care Experienced Bursary - In Conversation with John Swinney 

Join us for the second edition of our podcast. We met with Joanna McCreadie (Seamab) and Rosie Moore, who co-chair the Love work group at the Independent Care Review. Listen as Pamela Graham, Head of Learning and Development at Staf, asks them about their work on love. Find out more about the work of the Independent Care Review by visiting their website, or follow them on twitter.

The Forum Extra: Continuing Care 

Join us for The Forum Extra, our bite-sized podcast around continuing care, as Pamela (Head of Learning and Development) tells us more about Staf's focus groups, reminds us what continuing care is and members of the Implications of Continuing Care focus group share some positive practice taking place in their areas.

Episode 1. Supporting the Workforce 

On Care Day 2019 we're excited to launch The Forum - Staf's first-ever podcast. We spoke to Pauline Connelly who is a Senior Worker at Tremanna children's home in Slamannan, just outside Falkirk. Our Head of Learning and Development, Pamela Graham, spoke to Pauline about how we can support the workforce to deliver trauma-informed and trauma-responsive care and about the unique model of care that has been developed at Tremanna.

 

Credits:

Introduction and exit music: Heartwarming by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/