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Valda - Building Positive Foundations

Voices of Fostering

Chapters
0:00
Introduction to the Voices of Fostering Podcast
0:03
Meet Valda: A Foster Carer's Journey
0:56
The Role of Mentoring in Fostering
1:44
Valda's Background Before Fostering
2:54
Transition to Official Foster Care
5:01
Challenges and Rewards of Fostering
7:20
Therapeutic Parenting Techniques
12:45
Strengthening Families and Communities
15:18
Addressing Gang Affiliations and County Lines
17:52
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Voices of Fostering
Valda - Building Positive Foundations
Jul 16, 2025 Season 4 Episode 9
National Fostering Group

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In this episode of the Voices of Fostering Podcast, Tim interviews Valda, a dedicated foster carer from London. Valda shares her journey of becoming a foster carer alongside her husband Richard, having started officially in 2016. 

She discusses the transition from their previous careers, their informal mentoring of children in need, and the challenges and rewards of fostering. Valda also describes handling complex cases involving therapeutic parenting, her accredited training in Strengthening Families, and the critical issues of gang affiliations and county lines that some foster children face. 

The episode highlights Valda’s unwavering patience, her insights about fostering, and the impact of building solid foundations for vulnerable children.

If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit our website here.

If you have any questions that you would like to be answered on our next episode email podcast@nfa.co.uk

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