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Dr. Jenna Bollinger takes us on a revealing journey into the heart of what makes residential care truly effective for vulnerable children and young people. Drawing from her doctoral research on stability in out-of-home care, she challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on how we measure success in these settings.

The podcast opens with a powerful revelation: stability isn't simply about remaining in one placement for a long time. As Dr Bollinger explains, "If I was just told I have to leave my house today for no reason and I don't know where I'm going, I could be in my next house for 12 months, but I don't know how secure I would feel." This insight forms the foundation of her research, which discovered that meaningful relationships are what truly create stability for young people in care.

One of the most touching moments comes when Dr Bollinger shares a story about interviewing a young man who had been in residential care. When she suggested that staff caring about him made a difference, he firmly corrected her: "No, I felt loved." This profound statement highlights what makes residential care work—genuine connections that extend beyond professional boundaries, with former residents maintaining relationships with staff long after leaving care.

Dr Bollinger introduces her "Secure House" model, a practical framework for creating stability in residential settings. Built on a foundation of safety, with walls representing consistent staff relationships, and a ceiling of genuine care, this model provides organizations with clear guidance on what elements must be in place for young people to thrive. She emphasizes that while change is inevitable in these settings, how it's managed makes all the difference.

The conversation also explores how organizations themselves can become traumatized when working with trauma-affected children, and how reflective practice—particularly at leadership levels—can help create healthier workplaces where staff feel heard and valued. 

Wondering how to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable children in our community? Listen now to discover practical insights from someone who's dedicated her career to creating healing environments for young people recovering from trauma and disrupted attachments.

Jenna’s Bio 

Jenna has a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of New South Wales, and a PhD from Monash University, where she investigated the experience of, and capacity for stability in, residential out of home care. 

Jenna has worked in out of home care in different capacities since 2012 and is currently the Director of Psychology and Clinical Services for Knightlamp, which consults on assessment and implementation of therapeutic programs in out of home care across Australia. 

Jenna also conducts a variety of assessments, including therapeutic assessments for out of home care, forensic assessments and parenting capacity assessments in the context of the child protection system. 

We hope you enjoy our conversation.

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Podcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

Disclaimer:

Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflect those of the podcast owner, Colby Pearce.

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What happens when one person loves a child unconditionally? According to Susan Barton AM, founder of Lighthouse Foundation, "they'll usually make it through." This profound belief forms the backbone of an extraordinary organisation that has transformed the landscape of youth homelessness in Australia over the past 33 years.

Susan's journey began with a shocking encounter in Sri Lanka, where she witnessed a severely malnourished baby covered in abscesses and flies. That moment changed everything. Returning to Australia, she discovered that while our children weren't dying of malnutrition, they faced a different crisis—one of the highest youth suicide rates in the Western world. What started as fostering teenagers in her own home evolved into a revolutionary approach to therapeutic care that has helped over 1,350 young people find healing, with 87% never returning to homelessness.

The Lighthouse model goes far beyond providing shelter. At its core is the understanding that healing happens through relationships and community. Every home is surrounded by a "community committee" of local supporters who become surrogate extended family. All staff engage in reflective practice to understand their emotional responses when working with trauma. Perhaps most revolutionary is their approach to birth families—recognising that "children who have been abused by their parents don't stop loving their parents; they stop loving themselves." Their Young Parents and Babies Programme embodies their philosophy: "We care for the parents so they can care for their children."

Ben Pryke, who left his career in the UK after reading Susan's book on therapeutic residential care, shares powerful stories of transformation—from fathers reconnecting with their children to young mothers learning to play with their babies after their own experiences of childhood trauma. What sets Lighthouse apart is their commitment to long-term support, continuing relationships well beyond the typical age cutoffs, because as Susan explains, "You don't stop being a parent just because they've moved out."

Bio's:

Susan Barton AM founded Lighthouse Foundation 33 years ago and has dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable children and youth. Her mission is to change the way Australia looks at the issue of child and youth homelessness towards a more therapeutic approach where we create caring communities where all young people – from babies to young adults – can feel safe, form meaningful relationships, and begin their journey to recovery. 

Susan has co-authored two books on childhood trauma, was awarded an Order of Australia for services to youth in Australia, was named Melburnian of the Year in 2009, and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women for her significant achievements and contribution to the Victorian community, in 2012.

Inspired by the Lighthouse Foundation’s values and vision for high-quality care, Ben joined the organisation in 2018 as a Therapeutic Carer, supporting children, young people, young parents, and babies in need of a secure base.

In 2021, Ben became the Manager of Youth and Family Services; leading Lighthouse Foundation’s nine therapeutic residential care homes.

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Podcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

Disclaimer: Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflect those of

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Patricia Sheridan's remarkable journey from critical observer to pioneering founder reveals how one person's vision can transform an entire field. When she established Moore House School in 1988, Mrs Sheridan was swimming against the tide of conventional childcare practices in Scotland, where controlling children took precedence over nurturing their potential.

What began as a small residential school has blossomed into the Moore House Group – encompassing residential education, foster care services, and specialized support for neurodiverse children. Throughout this evolution, Mrs Sheridan maintained an unwavering commitment to a revolutionary principle: every child deserves to be surrounded by adults who genuinely believe in their capabilities and potential.

The conversation explores how Mrs Sheridan cultivated an organizational culture where everyone – from teachers to care staff to foster carers – receives consistent training in attachment theory and trauma-informed approaches. This creates what she lovingly calls the "Moore House family," a community united by shared values and language. Particularly moving is her description of care staff learning alongside children, demonstrating that vulnerability and growth are lifelong pursuits for everyone.

Mrs Sheridan's reflections on Scotland's childcare landscape reveal how far the field has come. The language of love, relationships, and potential that once made her an outlier has become mainstream, reflected in national initiatives like "The Promise." While challenges remain, particularly in shifting from damage control to prevention, her optimism is contagious.

Most powerfully, Mrs Sheridan dismantles the myth that traumatized children are inherently difficult to connect with. "Relationships are the vehicle to all healing," she asserts, sharing how creating environments where children feel worthy and capable transforms "impossible" into "I'm possible." Her story proves that institutional change begins with belief – in children's potential and in our own capacity to create more humane systems of care.

Patricia’s Bio

Mrs Sheridan established Moore House School in 1988.  Her drive was to create a service with her personal mantras “Determined to Deliver Excellence” and “I’m Possible” for young people. 

Mrs Sheridan leads the Board of Directors and continues to have a hands-on approach using a range of experiences and techniques to engage with young people to elicit their views on the service they are receiving.  

Her passion is for young people to be supported by adults who believe in their potential and adults who share the organisational values of respect, integrity and dignity for all.  

Mrs Sheridan reminds us that we are responsible for creating trusting relationships and happy memories for our young people.  She strives to ensure that our young people experience as many creative, happy, nurturing memories as possible.

Mrs Sheridan continues to strive for excellence and ensures that her passion for high quality services is cascaded throughout the organisation to encourage each and every team member to recognise the important part they play in the wellbeing and progress that our young people experience.

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Podcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

Disclaimer:

Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of th

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Richard Rowlandson draws from over five decades of experience at the Mulberry Bush School to share profound insights about therapeutic residential care for traumatised children. His journey from New York City to the English countryside led to a lifelong commitment to creating environments where troubled children can learn to live with themselves and others.

At the heart of Richard's approach is the concept of belonging. He eloquently unpacks how children who don't feel "held in mind" by adults will produce behaviours to be "on their mind" instead – even when those behaviours have negative consequences. This fundamental understanding transforms how we view challenging behaviour: "If I can't be in their mind, I better be on their mind, because if I'm not either of those places, I'm out of their mind and out of my mind."

Richard shares powerful stories that illuminate the patient, persistent work required to help children heal from relational trauma. Using the beautiful metaphor of "tempo rubato" from music – time that has been stolen – he explains how these children have had their childhood time stolen, and therapeutic communities work to give some of that time back. This perspective challenges our results-driven culture, reminding us that "the long-term hurt many of these children have suffered requires some long-term work."

For educators and caregivers in mainstream settings, Richard offers practical wisdom about the power of community. He suggests that schools have enormous untapped potential to foster belonging simply by creating regular spaces where students can reflect together on "how are we doing?" This simple shift – emphasizing "we" rather than isolating troubled individuals – could transform school cultures without requiring them to become full therapeutic communities.

Whether you work directly with traumatised children or simply care about creating more healing environments for young people, this conversation offers both practical guidance and profound inspiration. Richard's lifetime commitment to this work stands as testament to its value, with former pupils still reaching out decades later to acknowledge the difference it made in their lives.

Richard’s Bio

Richard has a long association with Residential Therapeutic Communities, having worked at the Mulberry Bush School for well over 20 years and where, from 1991 to 2001, he was its Director. He was also Director, Children and Young People, at the Peper Harow Foundation, from 2001 to 2005. 

Richard qualified as a Social Worker with an MSc from Oxford University in 1983, following the then Part 1 training in Child Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Centre. In 2005 he completed the Ashridge MA and training in Organisational Consulting. He has been Chairman of the Charterhouse Group of Therapeutic Communities and for many years the Chairman of the Care Leavers’ Foundation. In 2014 he became Chair of Trustees at the Mulberry Bush School, only recently stepping down from that position, while remaining a Trustee with a special brief for the links and development of the contacts with and participation of former pupils. He has published numerous articles and continues to lecture widely across the UK and Europe.

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Podcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

Disclaimer:

Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not

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Andrew Isaac brings decades of leadership experience in children's social care to this eye-opening discussion about the state of foster care in the UK. As Chair of BSN Social Care and the Children's Services Development Group, Andrew offers rare insights into both the frontline challenges and policy considerations shaping outcomes for vulnerable young people.

The conversation tackles the alarming 30% increase in children entering care across England since 2010, examining how this surge has stretched resources and created unprecedented challenges. Andrew expertly dissects the intersection of funding constraints, outdated legislation, and shifting societal dynamics that complicate effective care delivery. His passion for early intervention shines through as he shares compelling economic data: every pound invested in proper care yields sixteen pounds in lifetime returns, with potential savings of nearly a billion pounds from the justice system alone by reducing the number of care-experienced young people in prison.

Most poignantly, Andrew addresses what he calls "the cliff edge at 18" – the arbitrary point where young people transition overnight from comprehensive support to navigating multiple agencies independently. The statistics are heartbreaking: care leavers are seven times more likely to commit suicide than their peers. Through powerful anecdotes and evidence-based insights, Andrew makes a compelling case for extending meaningful support beyond this artificial boundary.

The discussion also explores the delicate art of foster carer recruitment and retention, highlighting the importance of honest conversations that address concerns while emphasizing the profound difference carers make. Andrew shares touching success stories alongside practical strategies for supporting carers through challenging placements and transitions.

Whether you work in social care, are considering fostering, or simply care about society's most vulnerable members, this conversation offers essential perspective on how we might better support young people to achieve what one expert calls "the great aspiration of children in care" – an ordinary life. Subscribe now to join this important conversation about creating lasting positive change for generations to come.

Andrew’s Bio

Andrew is a highly accomplished leader within heavily regulated healthcare, children’s services and special needs education environments.  

Andrew is the Chair of BSN Social care, the parent company of six of the UK’s leading foster care agencies servicing much of England and Wales.

Andrew is also the Chair of the Children’s Services Development Group (CSDG), a coalition of leading independent providers of care and specialist education services, who work closely with policymakers, regulators and local authorities to develop policy solutions that will ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people with complex needs. 

Andrew was previously the marketing and communications manager for the National Fostering Agency, which is when we first interacted with each other. I was under the impression that he retired some time ago, but as we will hear that does not appear to be the case.

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Podcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

Disclaimer:

Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflect those

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Colby Pearce connects with the core technical team of Livramento, a residential care home in Portugal with a remarkable 200-year history of supporting girls and young women from ages 6 to 25.

• Tracing Livramento's journey from a closed orphanage during Napoleonic times to today's therapeutic community
• Exploring how a revolutionary director in the 1970s transformed the institution by focusing on education and personal development
• Developing a comprehensive therapeutic model with consultant Patrick Tomlinson that emphasizes reflective practice
• Creating graduated independence through pre-autonomous living within the home and apartments in the community
• Achieving a 99-100% academic success rate through educational partnerships and scholarship programs
• Working systemically with families to promote healthy relationships and potential reunification
• Building a culture where staff at all levels receive supervision and support to prevent burnout
• Demonstrating how residential care can be the best option for some young people when implemented with therapeutic intention

My guests, and I say guests because there are five of them, are Ivone, Maria, Bruna, Carla, and Liliana, from Lar Nossa Senhora do Livramento.

About Livramento

The Fundação Lar Nossa Senhora do Livramento (FLNSL) is a non-profit Private Social Solidarity Institution (IPSS) that receives female children and young people aged between 6 and 25 years old into its residential care programme. 

The history of Livramento is intertwined with the history of the city of Porto, dating back to the Napoleonic invasions. At that time, a group of citizens organised themselves to protect children and their mothers from abandonment and mistreatment, creating the first shelter in 1810. 

Livramento accommodates female children and young people aged 6 and over who are in a situation of danger or neglect, and whose reception is requested by the competent entities – Family and Juvenile Court or Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People at Risk. The objective of this social response is the protection and rehabilitation of children and young people, aiming at the following possible life projects: family reunification, foster care, adoption or autonomy.
 
Livramento operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring accommodation, food and personal care as well as monitoring and promoting their integral development.

In recent years, the residential shelter has undergone a very significant transformation process, which I am hoping to discuss further in this episode of the podcast.

Welcome Ivone (Psychologist), Maria (Social Worker), Carla (Psychologist), Liliana (Special Education Technician), and Bruna (Psychology Intern).

Links:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Podcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

 Disclaimer

Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflect those of the podcast owner, Colby Pearce.

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What happens when someone with lived experience of the care system becomes a leading voice in trauma-informed practice? Dr. Lisa Cherry's journey from writing complaints to the director of social services as a child in care to becoming an internationally recognised consultant offers profound insights into breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma.

Drawing from her 35 years of experience working in education and children's services, Dr. Cherry shares the deeply personal story of how raising her own children became "one of the deepest education experiences" she's had. Her powerful reflections on breaking cycles through consistent presence and connection with her now-adult children demonstrates the transformative potential of trauma-informed parenting and practice.

Two critical messages emerge that could revolutionise how we support vulnerable children. First, we must examine the problematic language used to describe children and young people in care - language that shapes how they're viewed and treated. Second, we need deeper understanding that behaviour is communication, especially when children lack the capacity to articulate their trauma verbally. As Dr. Cherry explains, "It's very difficult to think about behaviour as communication if you don't have time and space to think about how you communicate your own distress when distressed."

The conversation explores how starved systems with reduced funding make genuine relational work increasingly difficult, yet Dr. Cherry shares examples of organisations prioritising connection and belonging against these odds. Her three books - including the recently published "Weaving a Web of Belonging" - combine academic knowledge, professional practice and lived experience in accessible ways for busy practitioners.

Want to transform your understanding of trauma-informed practice? This episode offers both practical insights and profound wisdom from someone who's walked the path from care experience to international advocacy. Listen now to discover how we can create services that truly understand human development and support both children and the professionals who work with them.

Lisa's Bio:

Dr Lisa Cherry is the Director of Trauma Informed Consultancy Services Ltd leading a dynamic and creative organisation that provides a 'one stop' approach to delivering on research, consultancy and learning and development. Lisa is an author, researcher, leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting schools, services and systems to create systemic change to the way that we work with those experiencing and living with, the legacy of trauma. Lisa has been working in and around Education and Children’s Services for over 35 years and combines academic knowledge and research with professional expertise and personal experience. Lisa has worked extensively across many sectors with Social workers, Educators, Probation Workers and those in Adult Services, training and speaking to over 35,000 people around the world including in the US, Australia and Pakistan and across the whole of the UK.

To find out more about Lisa, visit her website: https://www.ticservicesltd.com/

To listen to a podcast interview I gave on Lisa's podcast (referred to in this episode), visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D3A4g73Dqw

Links:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcastPodcast Blog Site: https://thesecurestartpodcast.com/
Secure Start Site: https://securestart.com.au/

Disclaimer: Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless oth

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What makes attachment so crucial for foster children, and how can carers build connection with young people who seem determined to push them away? In this illuminating conversation, clinical psychologist Colby reveals the profound impact of attachment on every aspect of child development.

Attachment isn't just about emotional bonding—it shapes how children explore their world, develop reading skills, and even their motor development. For children in foster care, who typically have disorganized attachment styles resulting from frightening or harmful parenting experiences, building secure attachment presents unique challenges. Yet understanding these challenges opens the door to powerful solutions.

Colby introduces the AURA framework—Accessible, Understanding, Responsive, and Attuned care—as a guide for creating healing relationships. When children experience adults as consistently present, understanding their experiences, responsive to their needs, and attuned to their emotional states, they gradually develop the sense that they are worthy of care and that adults can be trusted.

For young people who seem to reject connection, Colby offers a counterintuitive but effective approach: lower the dose. Brief check-ins, simple acknowledgments of their experience ("You look like you had a tough day"), and providing things they enjoy without making a fuss can communicate care without triggering defensive responses. Remarkably, research suggests that as little as five minutes of daily interactive play—like a game of Uno—can significantly improve attachment relationships.

The conversation explores how shame operates in traumatized children and how carers can respond to challenging behaviours in ways that promote healing rather than reinforcing negative self-perceptions. Children see themselves as they experience adults seeing them—the "looking glass self" concept—making it crucial for carers to recognize progress, however small.

Whether you're caring for a child with attachment difficulties or simply interested in the profound influence of early relationships, this discussion offers practical wisdom for nurturing connection and helping young people develop the self-worth that underpins a functional, happy life.

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A childhood moment of terror when separated from her parents for mere minutes sparked Dr. Kiran Modi's lifelong mission to transform care for vulnerable children across India. 

What follows is the extraordinary story of Udayan Care, an organization Dr. Modi founded in 1994 after visiting over 150 childcare institutions. Rejecting the prevailing model of large, isolated orphanages, she pioneered the LIFE (Living in Family Environment) approach—creating small, community-integrated homes where children receive individualized care and form lasting attachments. Most revolutionary is her "voluntary mentor parents" system, where committed adults pledge lifelong relationships with these children, creating the stability so desperately needed by those who've experienced family disruption.

Dr. Modi's insights on trauma are particularly powerful. "Trauma lodges in your heart," she explains, challenging simplistic notions of recovery. Rather than pretending trauma can be erased, Udayan Care focuses on building resilience and coping mechanisms while acknowledging that for many children, the emotional scars remain. This realistic, compassionate approach permeates everything from their therapeutic models to their comprehensive aftercare programs supporting young people transitioning to independence.

The impact is extraordinary—operating in 36 cities across 15 Indian states, supporting over 16,000 girls in higher education, training 30,000 youth in vocational skills, and pioneering India's first care leavers networks. But perhaps most remarkable is how Dr. Modi bridges practice and policy, turning frontline experiences into research that drives systemic change. Her work establishing BICON (Asia's largest platform for care reform) and an international academic journal demonstrates how thoughtful integration of service, research and advocacy can transform child welfare systems.

 Kiran’s Bio

 Kiran has a PhD in American Literature from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Kiran founded Udayan Care, a non-profit organization, in 1994. Since then Udayan Care has delivered programs at national and international level, with a focus on family strengthening and care reform. Under Kiran’s leadership, Udayan Care now operates in 36 cities across 15 states in India and has international chapters in the USA and Germany. 

Kiran developed the LIFE (Living In Family Environment) model for group homes, initiated aftercare programs, and launched the Udayan Shalini Fellowship, which has supported over 16,000 girls in higher education. Kiran also established 24 IT and Vocational Training Centers, training over 30,000 youth.

Kiran has pioneered several initiatives including BICON, Biennial International Conference on Alternative Care for Children in Asia, (BICONs), Asia’s largest platform for care reform; an international journal, ICB, Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond, and related initiatives. Kiran led India’s first care leavers study, resulting in new programs and the formation of the country’s first care leavers’ network, as well as a global network of care leavers. 

Kiran is a recipient of many prestigious awards, including the National Award for Child Welfare - India's highest commendation for a non-profit child welfare organisation,&

Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

https://www.udayancare.org/

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Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflec

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What makes therapeutic care truly effective? Simon Benjamin takes us on a journey through his remarkable career—from cleaning houses as a support worker to leading the Lighthouse Foundation as CEO—to reveal the essential ingredients of healing environments for vulnerable children and young people.

Drawing from his immersive experiences at the Mulberry Bush School in the UK and the Lighthouse Foundation in Australia, Simon articulates a profound truth often overlooked in our sector: therapeutic practice must permeate every level of an organisation to be effective. When leadership teams maintain their own reflective spaces, they model the vulnerability and trust-building that forms the foundation of healing relationships with clients.

"The alignment has got to be through the whole system, from top to bottom," Simon explains, offering a compelling metaphor for why comprehensive support structures matter. Working in child protection is like navigating rough terrain—without proper "suspension" systems like reflective practice and ongoing training, staff get "bashed up" and eventually leave, their potential for creating meaningful change lost in the process.

Most powerfully, Simon challenges organisations to examine whether their therapeutic approaches actually reach a "therapeutic level" where healing begins. Just as medication must reach a certain concentration in the bloodstream to combat disease, therapeutic care must provide enough positive experiences to create real change in people's lives. This requires more than simply being "trauma-informed"—it demands consistent, thoughtful practice embedded in organisational culture.

For leaders considering implementing therapeutic approaches, Simon's advice is clear: genuine leadership buy-in is essential, and the change process itself should model the therapeutic principles being introduced. By engaging the entire organisation in this journey, leaders create alignment that supports lasting transformation for both staff and clients.

Whether you're a frontline worker, manager, or executive in social care, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating environments where vulnerability becomes strength and healing becomes possible. Join us as we explore how reflective practice at every level creates organisations capable of truly transformative work.

Simon’s Bio:

For two decades, Simon experienced a wide range of care models in disability, mental health, special education, out-of-home care and Aboriginal childcare services. This included caring for deeply traumatised children in both community-based and state-run residential care homes.

More than 10 years of this time was spent immersed in the well-established therapeutic milieu workplaces of The Mulberry Bush School in the United Kingdom, and Lighthouse Foundation in Australia, having been CEO for more than five years at the latter.

Simon now draws on this rich career experience, together with the latest research and evidence-based approaches, to empower organisational leaders, teams and frontline workers to better manage their own wellbeing and deliver optimal outcomes.

While his work supports a broad range of clients, Simon specialises in Out of Home Care, Mental Health, Homelessness sectors.

Links:

Simon's Website: https://blueskies.net.au/

Colby's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcast

Disclaimer: Information reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guest

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