Fostering reforms - will these help the drive for 10,000 new foster carers? Niketa Sanderson-Gillard & Luke Rodgers

The Relational Social Work Podcast

The Relational Social Work Podcast
Fostering reforms - will these help the drive for 10,000 new foster carers? Niketa Sanderson-Gillard & Luke Rodgers
Aug 02, 2026 Season 6 Episode 12
Matt and Hannah

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We might be officially out of a season but this episode was too important to wait, so we thought we better have a summer special! This week we are joined by Niketa Sanderson-Gillard (Founder and CEO of Why Care) and Luke Rodgers (Founder and CEO of The Care Leaders) to discuss the Department for Education’s consultation on updating Fostering Standards and Guidance, for which Niketa is the lead drafter and Luke is the engagement lead. This episode explores why fostering reforms are needed, what this means for children and for foster carers, and how relationships are being put at the centre of these reforms. The consultation is open now and this episode explains what is being proposed and how you can be part of the consultation. So have a listen and then head over to https://consult.education.gov.uk/looked-after-children/updating-foster-care-standards-and-guidance/ to get involved!

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Episode Artwork Fostering reforms - will these help the drive for 10,000 new foster carers? Niketa Sanderson-Gillard & Luke Rodgers 1:05:34 Episode Artwork Connecting Through Books: BookTrust 1:04:18 Episode Artwork Family Justice - Change is Possible: Lisa Harker 55:38 Episode Artwork Care Experienced Social Workers: Kyla Chandler and Mike Starr 1:09:36 Episode Artwork Family Courts - ethical dilemmas with no easy answer: Lorraine Cavanagh KC 1:02:07 Episode Artwork Families First Reforms: Chris Heeley, Louise Kelman and Kat Blake-Smith 1:02:23 Episode Artwork The Traitors Special: Roxy Wilson and Judy Wilson 1:01:59 Episode Artwork Poor: Katriona O'Sullivan 1:13:14 Episode Artwork Foster Care Fortnight: Sarah Thomas 57:52 Episode Artwork Does the term “permanence” help or hinder outcomes for children: Family Justice Council Debate (Part 2) 43:09 Episode Artwork Does the term “permanence” help or hinder outcomes for children: Family Justice Council Debate (Part 1) 1:12:30 Episode Artwork Putting enduring relationships at the heart of reform: Jarrod Wheatley 1:00:37 Episode Artwork ADCS Presidency - Passing the baton: Rachael Wardell and Ann Graham 54:41 Episode Artwork What does the future of social work look like?: Lisa Harris, Farai Kanengoni, Mike Hayward, Kieron White and Neil Thompson 1:08:54 Episode Artwork A citizen advocacy approach to supporting people with a learning disability: Clare Wightman and Mel Smith 54:52 Episode Artwork Technology, AI and Family Law: Family Justice Council Conference 43:48 Episode Artwork From York With Love: The Care Leaders Summit 1:00:24 Episode Artwork Making Child Protection Work: Harry Ferguson 1:22:00 Episode Artwork Innovative Practice in Children's Services: West Midlands ADCS Network 1:07:30 Episode Artwork Engaging Fathers: Scott Mair 59:43 Episode Artwork Theorising Practice: Dr Neil Thompson 1:11:29 Episode Artwork What do the reforms mean for care experienced young people: Chloe Grant and Matt Blow 59:42 Episode Artwork Child to parent abuse: Michelle John 54:27 Episode Artwork Can multi-agency child protection teams be relational?: Lisa Hackett, Jerome Harvey-Agyei and Kam Kaur 56:27 Episode Artwork Christmas Special 43:56