For this episode, we are joined by some very special guests who will be discussing the Dudley ASYE Programme. We have Nisha - our ASYE Coordinator, Sunita - one of our ASYE Assessors, Kim and Shafina - two of our amazing Social Workers who completed their ASYE programme in Dudley and finally, Tia - a Newly Qualified Social Worker who's currently on the programme.

If you want to find out more about our ASYE Programme, just drop us an email at [email protected]

This episode was presented and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant

For our latest episode, we are joined by Winter.  Winter shares their experiences of living independently and exploring how poverty can impact upon young people.  Winter explores what it was like for them moving into semi-independent accommodation at the age of 16 and the challenges they faced.  Winter shares how with the help from their Personal Advisor, their life positively turned around and they have been successful in applying to university and have even set up a service to support LGBTQ young people in the local area!

Credits

Presented by Vicki Silvester-Grant

Co-produced by Winter, Vicki Silvester-Grant and Aaron

Edited by Aaron Richards

For our latest episode, we are joined by Abdulla (and his little daughter!). Abdulla shares his experiences of coming to the country when he was 15, not being able to speak the language and how he learnt to navigate a new culture, access education and speaks of the challenges and rewards of being a father.

Credits

Presented by Darren Foley.

Co-produced by Abdulla, Darren Foley and Vicki Silvester-Grant

Edited by Vicki Silvester-Grant

Welcome to Dudley Children's Services' forth episode of the A Conversation With...Podcast.  In this episode, Chloe, Lydia and Lewis are joined by special guest, Lisa Cherry, who shares her answers to the questions below: -

· What was the best compliment you have ever received?

· What top tips could you give to our children and young people?

· What was your favourite subject in school?

· What was the best trip you’ve ever taken?

· What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt over your career?

· Whose been the most influential person in your life and why?

· What’s one question you’d like to be asked – and how would you answer it?

· If you had the attention of the whole world for 5 minutes, what would you say?

Information about Lisa and her work can be found on her website: -

www.lisacherry.co.uk

Credits

Presented and co-produced by Lydia, Chloe and Lewis

Edited and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant

Welcome to Dudley Children's Services' third episode of the A Conversation With...Podcast.  In this episode, we get to meet two of Dudley's Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO's), Matt and Becky, who talk about their role as an IRO and explain what Child Protection Conferences and Child Looked After Reviews are.  They are also joined by one of our care leavers, Lewis, who shares his own experiences of Child Looked After Reviews.  

This episode has been made to help young people, parents and carers gain a greater understanding  of what an IRO does, what Child Protection Conferences and Child Looked After Reviews are for, and how children and families can work together with their IRO's to get their voices heard within these meetings.  

Credits

Edited and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant

Welcome to Dudley Children's Services' second episode of the A Conversation With...Podcast.  In this episode, Charlie from our Children in Care Council speaks with Jake, who is an amazing young poet.  Jake shares 7 of his poems with us - one of which is a world exclusive!

Jake opens up about what inspired him to begin writing poetry - discussing issues around LGBTQ+ and bullying, he also talks about the positive effect writing poems has had on his mental health.

A massive thank you to Charlie and Jake for agreeing to co-produce this episode and talk so openly about some very difficult subjects.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast you can speak to your social worker or access support from online services such as Kooth, The Mix, Young Minds or the Proud Trust.

https://www.kooth.com/

https://www.themix.org.uk/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

https://www.theproudtrust.org/young-people/

Credits

Presented by Charlie.

Edited and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant.

Welcome to Dudley Children's Services' first episode of the Time to Talk Podcast, where three of our incredible care leavers discuss the topic of mental health while also reflecting on their individual experiences of being in care.

This podcast is primarily aimed at young people to download and listen to, however the learning that practitioners can take from it to inform their practice is vast; there are clear messages around the importance of relationships and the impact this has on young people and the outcomes they achieve, the importance of life story work, as well as looking at some ideas around supporting our children and young people when transitioning to foster care.

A massive thank you to Lewis, Mary and Sam for agreeing to co-produce this episode and talk so openly about some very difficult subjects.

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast you can speak to your social worker or access support from online services such as Kooth, The Mix or Young Minds.

https://www.kooth.com/

https://www.themix.org.uk/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Credits

Presented and produced by Darren Foley.

Edited and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant.

Welcome to Dudley Children's Services' preview episode of our new Time to Talk Podcast.

During the podcasting training day, three of our very talented Children In Care Council members recorded some of their views and feelings about being in care.  We have turned this into a preview to what the full episodes of the Time to Talk Podcasts will be like.

Credits

Produced by Darren Foley.

Edited and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant.

Welcome to Dudley Children's Services' first A Conversation With... podcast.

Our first guest, Kate, is a care-experienced young person who is here to tell us about her journey through care from the age of 17. 

She discusses her time in care, the challenges of being a mother while returning to education, moving into independent living, and now being in her final year at university.

UPDATE: We are so pleased to share that this incredible young person has now graduated with a 2:1 in her chosen degree and will be embarking on her Masters Degree shortly! 

Credits

Presented by Darren Foley.

Edited and produced by Vicki Silvester-Grant.

Additional editing by Ed Torrance.