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.

8. 'Now is the time to make a difference' Staf Board member Rosie Moore

In this episode we hear from board member Rosie Moore who shares what it's like to be a board member, how she applied and was appointed, what she gets out of it and what she'd say to anyone with experience of care who would be interested in applying to be a Youth Director on the Staf board. You can find out more about how to apply at staf.scot/jobs

7. The Promise Scotland on workforce support, relationships and tackling poverty 

In this edition Pamela Graham, Staf's Head of Learning and Development talks to Thomas Carlton, Implementation Lead at The Promise Scotland about the latest developments, workforce support, the importance of relationships and how The Promise Scotland can support organisations to improve the economic wellbeing of care leavers. 

6. Co-production at its finest: discover how Youth Just Us and No Knives Better Lives created the 'Nae Danger' game

Chris and Ashley from Youth Just Us share their experiences of co-producing and literally adding their voices to the No Knives Better Lives' 'Nae Danger' game. They are joined by Emily Beever (Youth Link Scotland/NKNB) and Ruth Kerracher and Pamela Graham from Staf. The podcast explores how content was created collaboratively during lockdown and the importance of listening to experience to create a genuine and impactful video game which has the potential to change lives. 

For more information about the game you can read our blog by our Participation Consultant Kevin Lafferty

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/