Jan shares her experience of adoption with Sue Hughes, assessment services & permanency director. Jan was the first child Family Futures placed through iAdopt. She was matched with her adoptive mum at six years old after a previous adoption breakdown. Sue has been part of the team supporting Jan and her mum for the last 14 years. Jan talks about her mixed feelings of loss and confusion, moving from birth family, to foster family, to adopted family, and how integral patience and support was from her mum, and for her mum. Adoption UK’s helpline is specifically for adoptees, adopters, kinship carers and their support network. You can call them Monday to Friday, 10am to 2.30pm on 0300 666 0006. SHOUT also offers text support 7 days a week, 24/7 for anyone is who is struggling to cope. Just text SHOUT to 85258. #TheFFPod aims to amplify, educate and inform. Subscribe on Spotify to listen to our series, Real Life Stories, which amplifies voices in adoption and fostering. Family Futures is a not for profit, independent adoption and fostering agency in London, rated Ofsted Outstanding, and a leading provider of therapeutic support for families. Find out more about Family Futures at www.familyfutures.co.uk Please note that the views expressed in this podcast series are the views of our guest speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Family Futures. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
In this special Q&A episode, recorded at one of our adoption information evenings, approved adopters Alex and James share their story - from assessment and matching to parenting a child with additional needs.Interviewed by their assessing social worker Phil Kane, and joined by fellow Family Futures social worker and parent through adoption Caz, they reflect on the impact of therapeutic support, the realities of family finding, and the role of a support network – including what a network meeting really involves.We host these events regularly for anyone exploring adoption, details of our next information evening can be found on our website. Sign up here Learn more at www.familyfutures.co.uk00:00 – Intro & What to ExpectAn overview of this Q&A session from a Family Futures Information Evening with adopters Alex and James, hosted by Phil Kane, with insights from social worker Caz.01:03 – Family Finding TimelineAlex shares how they were approved in January, found their son quickly, but waited several months before introductions began.01:47 – Choosing Family Futures & the Assessment ExperienceWhy Alex and James chose Family Futures over their local authority and what stood out in the therapeutic, creative assessment process.07:14 – Support Through Family FindingFrom connecting with fellow adopters to managing frustrations and emotional highs and lows during matching.10:00 – Expectations vs. Reality in Family FindingAlex reflects on viewing 125–150 profiles, the types of children available, and how they shifted from expecting to adopt a 2-year-old to adopting a 7-year-old.13:02 – Feeling Supported & Staying GroundedThe importance of honest conversations, managing hopes, and having realistic expectations during family finding.14:17 – Meeting the Birth FamilyAlex recounts the powerful, emotional, and ultimately rewarding experience of meeting their son's birth family — and why it mattered for their son’s identity.19:00 – Therapeutic Support After PlacementComparing support from Family Futures with that of local authorities, and why therapeutic parenting has been a transformative experience.23:35 – Reflections from Caz (Social Worker & Adoptive Parent)Caz shares her perspective on the contrast in support between agencies and the value of therapeutic care.24:06 – Building Trust & The Role of Social WorkersWhy the relationships with social workers and therapists mattered deeply to Alex and James, and how they came to trust the Family Futures team.27:30 – Volunteering Before AdoptionAlex describes their experience finding local volunteering opportunities and why it turned out to be unexpectedly rewarding.30:15 – How Support Networks Can ShiftWhy the people you expect to lean on might change — and how adoption-related connections became their strongest source of support.
In this episode of Self Care Sessions, you'll be guided through a special place visualisation—a simple yet powerful exercise to help you find calm and relaxation whenever you need it.This technique, typically used in EMDR therapy, helps create a mental sanctuary where you feel safe and at peace. Whether you're a young person managing stress or a parent/carer supporting others, this practice can be a valuable tool for self-care.Take a deep breath, find a quiet space, and join us in this guided relaxation.If you're interested in EMDR we offer sessions for adults and adolescents through The Family Futures Wellbeing Hub, email us for a free consultation wellbeinghub@familyfutures.co.ukFollow and subscribe for more self-care sessions.Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Welcome to the Family Futures Podcast series, self care sessions. Self care you can do anywhere. This is a body based session, focusing on spin mobility with Stephen Mulley Therapy Services Manager.(Senior Clinical Specialist Dance Movement Psychotherapist)Like and subscribe for podcast updates, and if you’d like to know more about family futures, you can visit our website www.familyfutures.co.ukCreated and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Welcome to the Family Futures Podcast series, selfcare sessions. Selfcare you can do anywhere. This session is a somatic experience body tracking session with Jay Vaughan MBE, CEO & Registered Manager. (Dramatherapist, Theraplay Practitioner & Supervisor, Somatic Experience Practitioner & Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist) Like and subscribe for podcast updates, and if you’d like to know more about family futures, you can visit our website www.familyfutures.co.uk Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Newly matched adopters Buzz and Jenni shared their experience at our recent information evening. They talk about their decision-making process and preparation before choosing an agency to assess them (spoiler alert,it’s us) and why they chose Family Futures. We also get to hear about their experience of navigating the family finding and matching process. If you’d like to find out more about adopting with FamilyFutures, or to learn more about adoption with a VAA (voluntary adoption agency) you can sign up to our next information evening here.
In this episode Sam discusses his recent transition from mainstream school to homeschooling and how this has helped him develop his social skills. Sam who is now 16 first came to Family Futures with his mum and dad aged 7. We are also joined by Sam's mum who shares valuable insights for both professionals and potential adoptive parents, emphasising the importance of considering older children and the unique rewards and challenges of adoption. If you want to find out more about adoption or how to support Family Futures' work with care experienced children and young people, visit www.familyfutures.co.uk This podcast was created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Adrian Perks, adoptive parent and child and adolescent psychotherapist at Family Futures, discusses the importance of parent support, particularly for adoptive parents. He explains his training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and NVR (Non-Violent Resistance), emphasizing that NVR is not about restraint but therapeutic parenting techniques. Adrian highlights the need for early support for adoptive families and the benefits of self-care. He also mentions the practical aspects of NVR training, including de-escalation techniques and mindfulness exercises. To register your interest in our NVR training visit our website www.familyfutures.co.uk Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
In this episode therapy services manager Stephen Mulley talks about the ASGSF, how to apply, the support it can offer and who is eligible. Please note: This episode was recorded prior to the government's proposed changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF). Since recording, serious changes have been proposed that will drastically impact the children and families we support.The proposed changes would:- Cut funding from £5,000 to £3,000 per child, reducing access to vital therapy- Remove match funding, a crucial lifeline for families with children facing complex trauma- Eliminate separate funding for specialist assessments, further limiting supportThese proposals threaten the stability and wellbeing of vulnerable children who have already faced immense hardship. Without this support, more families risk reaching crisis point.These children need more support, not less.Here’s how you can take action:Join the protest march on May 3rd in London: Facebook EventSign the petition urging the government to rethink the changes: Change.org PetitionDonate to our Crisis Fund: Donate to Family FuturesThe Crisis Fund helps families impacted by reduced funding continue to access the specialist therapy they rely on. To find out more about Family Futures and what we do, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Download our free webinar here . NPP introduction – an evidence based therapy for healing trauma.Jay Vaughan MBE and co founder of Family Futures,shares how and why the Family Futures therapy model, Neuro Physiological Psychotherapy (NPP) was developed. She explains the way a holistic therapy works so well for children and young people who have experienced trauma by working with the brain and body together.To find out more about Family Futures and how we helpchildren, families and professionals, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk We'd love to hear from you, email your comments or questions to contact@familyfutures.co.uk Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
To find out more about Family Futures and what we do, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
To find out more about Family Futures and what we do, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
If you want to know more about adopting, you can sign up to our information evening on the 22nd February 2024 or email us to speak to a member of our team -contact@familyfutures.co.uk Adoption Information Evening with Family Futures Tickets, Thu 22 Feb 2024 at 18:30 | Eventbrite To find out more about Family Futures and what we do, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Understanding trauma and adversity | Resources | YoungMinds To find out more about Family Futures and what we do, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
This very special episode of The Family Futures Podcast was recorded live at our 25th anniversary conference, Contact in Context. You will hear a few bleeps censoring names and locations. This is to protect the speakers and their families. The discussion is facilitated by Sue Hughes, Assessment Services & Permanency Director at Family Futures. Our expert by experience guests: Alison (adoptive parent), Daniel (Adoptee), Helen (adoptive parent), Julia (adoptee), Matt (adoptive parent) and Michelle (special guardian), reflect on their experience of contact with birth family members, respond to questions from our virtual audience and reflect on the morning's talks. If you missed the live event, you can purchase the workshops and talks as downloads and buy a copy of our good practice guide, a framework for contact. Visit www.familyfutures.co.uk/training for more information. *Trigger warning* this podcast contains a reference to suicidal ideation. Some of the content in this podcast may be upsetting for listeners. If you are affected by any of the topics or content discussed, please talk to someone for support. Adoption UK’s helpline is specifically for adoptees, adopters, kinship carers and their support network. You can call them Monday to Friday, 10am to 2.30pm on 0300 666 0006. SHOUT also offers text support 7 days a week, 24/7 for anyone is who is struggling to cope. Just text SHOUT to 85258.
In this episode Jay Vaughan MBE, discusses our upcoming conference, Contact in Context. Why contact and why now? What can you expect to take away from the conference? Who will you be hearing from, and who should attend. The Family Future Conference, Contact in Context is a virtual event, taking place on the 20th of October 2023. Tickets are still available via our website and we offer a discount for group bookings of 5 or more, as well as concessions on request. For the full programme, and tickets head over to our website - Contact in Context Conference 2023 | Family Futures Thank you for listening to this episode of the Family Futures podcast, if you enjoyed listening today subscribe and leave us a review To find out more about Family Futures and what we do, head over to our website www.familyfutures.co.uk. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Welcome to a special episode of pondering pods, in this episode we hear from Alan Burnell OBE, adopted person and co-founder of Family Futures. Alan talk’s about his experience of contact as an adopted person, in a professional setting and how contact and the approach to supporting contact has changed over the last 40 years. Our conference, Contact in Context, is a virtual event taking place on the 20th October 2023. Alan will be co-hosting workshop three with adoptive parent, Alison, the workshop will explore how you can support your child when they make contact with birth family members online. Tickets are still available with a range of payment options, for the full programme for the day and to book your place you can visit our website. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Family Futures has 25 years’ experience supporting families with contact. Our virtual conference on the 20th October 2023 is for parents and professionals. Listen to lived experience and gain practical tools and advice to build your confidence in supporting children through contact and life story work. Who should attend? Professionals who want to develop their skills and knowledge Parents and prospective adopters who want to understand and prepare for contact or adoption SGO and Kinship carers who need support in managing contact What can you expect from the day? Hear from the experts, those with lived experience. We have a range of speakers, care experienced and adopted young people, birth parents, adopters, kinship carers and Family Futures therapeutic experts. Gain practical advice and frameworks on how contact can be managed, supported and improved, so that the needs of the child remain at the centre of the process. Explore the importance of contact from a developmental perspective Navigate fears around contact and complex relationships Network with other professionals and families For the full programme, and tickets head over to our website - Contact in Context Conference 2023 | Family Futures Don't forget if you're busy on the day or part of the day, all ticket holders can watch on demand for the 90 days following the conference. Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Welcome to the Family Futures Podcast series, selfcare session. Selfcare you can do anywhere. This session gives you time to be still and listen, guided by Georgie Kovoor. (Music Therapist) Like and subscribe for podcast updates, and if you’d like to know more about family futures, you can visit our website www.familyfutures.co.uk Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford
Welcome to the Family Futures Podcast series, selfcare sessions. Selfcare you can do anywhere. This session is a somatic experience body tracking session with Jay Vaughan MBE, CEO & Registered Manager. (Dramatherapist, Theraplay Practitioner & Supervisor, Somatic Experience Practitioner & Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist) Like and subscribe for podcast updates, and if you’d like to know more about family futures, you can visit our website www.familyfutures.co.uk Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford