Our events and resources enrich skills while foregrounding the lived experience of care-experienced people. All ExChange Wales webinars are available on our YouTube channel.

Presented by Prof. Beth Neil, University of East Anglia There are growing calls for the adoption system to do more to maintain relationships between adopted people and their birth relatives. The seminar will present a theory of change summarising the challenges the current adoption system faces in relation to letterbox contact, face-to-face contact, and services for adults affected by adoption, drawing on research and consultation with professionals and people with lived experience. The theory of change has also been informed by two new research studies. The first used a survey to seek the views of adopted adults around their needs and priorities regarding their family relationships; the second project used freedom of information requests sent to RAAs and LAs to understand how these agencies were responding to requests from intermediary services to check adoption files. The seminar will present emerging ideas about what change is needed to better meet the needs of adopted people - both children being adopted today and adopted adults and their birth relatives who were adopted in the past. ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Maintaining relationships in adoption – new research and a theory of change | ExChange Wales
The current practice in Wales of ‘pre-meets’: meetings between children and their prospective adopters ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Current practice in Wales of ‘pre-meets’ | ExChange Wales
Family Voice
Identities, family relationships and feelings of belonging within adoptive families through ‘name stories’ For individuals and families affected by adoption, experiences of the ‘identity’ and ‘belonging’ functions of personal names are especially likely to be multiple, significant and complex. Despite this, research focused on these issues is scarce (Pilcher, Hooley and Coffey 2020) and drawn mainly from studies of international adoptions. The applicability of findings to adoption cultures in England and Wales, where domestic adoptions are by far the majority type, remains unexamined. In this presentation we highlight the complexities of names and identities within adoptive families and discuss the impacts of changes in adoption practices in England and Wales over recent decades. We then outline our ongoing study, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, which aims to explore identities, family relationships and feelings of belonging revealed through ‘name stories’ told by adopters and by adults who were adopted as children. We will give examples of how participants have engaged with the creative writing element of the study. We conclude by suggesting ways our preliminary findings might inform professional advice, familial decisions and public discourses about names in adoption, enhancing outcomes for adoptees and their families. Dr Jane Pilcher, Associate Professor, Nottingham Trent University Dr Hannah Deakin-Smith, Researcher, Nottingham Trent University  Dr Jan Flaherty, Researcher, Nottingham Trent University ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Identities, family relationships and feelings of belonging within adoptive families | ExChange Wales
Safeguarding children living with foster carers, adopters and special guardians: learning from case reviews Case reviews have played a critical role in helping organisations to improve the safeguarding of children. The good practice guide Learning from Case Reviews is based on a UK wide study of 52 case reviews concerning 98 children who have experienced serious harm while living with foster carers, adopters or special guardians. The study spans 12 years and is the first to focus exclusively on reviews of cases of children in alternative family care. It shines a spotlight on those issues particular to these children – selection and assessment of carers; support for children and carers; and the supervision and management of arrangements. The study identifies recurring issues of concern in case reviews, including: • The assessment and selection of carers: exploring motivations, gaps in information, sensitive issues, carer attitudes and managing doubt and uncertainty; • Keeping the child at the heart of practice: improving placement planning, reviewing children’s wellbeing, listening to children, and closely monitoring vulnerable children; • Supporting carers: the level of supervision and oversight; reluctance to explore unease; asking questions about an absent child, avoiding manipulation, and maintaining authority; • Effective communication and collaboration: between agencies, including health, social care and education, and clarity about responsibilities to share information between services and across local authority boundaries. Please note this session will include presentations, questions and answers, and discussion groups (requiring your participation). ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Learning from Case Reviews: Safeguarding Children Living in Care | ExChange Wales
This session is aimed at practitioners, professionals and carers, and promotes resources that have been developed to support anti-racist-practice in children’s social care. In the webinar we explain the thinking behind the resources and how you can engage with these as an individual and with others that you work with and alongside. We will also discuss why this work matters and begin to help you to think through your understanding of racism, what we need to understand about particular groups and how we can check our thinking to support them better. ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Check your thinking: supporting anti-racist practice in children’s social care | ExChange Wales
A Home for me? A comparative review of the value of different forms of permanence for children: adoption, SGO and fostering Prof. Jim Clifford OBE Chief Executive, Sonnet Advisory & Impact CVAA UK commissioned Sonnet to explore the value created by adoption to those who are adopted, their families and the wider society. The analysis confirms that adoption bring substantial value to society through the permanence, stability and support it can offer children who cannot live with their birth families. According to the final report, which is available here (A home for me?), the value adoption brings is created through two key channels: the improved outcomes adoption offers relative to staying in care or living in special guardianship placements, and the lower financial cost to local authorities of adoption compared to foster and residential homes. According to the available evidence, adopted children and young people have enhanced outcomes across health, education and future employment compared to other placements, decreasing reliance on publicly funded services and support in childhood and later life. Additionally most adoptive parents do not receive financial support from the state, in contrast to foster and residential carers, which adds to the value adoption can bring – when it is in the best interests of the child. Description is taken from Sonnet Impacts report page Learn more about the report here: https://www.sonnetimpact.co.uk/reports/a-home-for-me-a-report-for-cvaa-uk/ Learn more about Jim Clifford here: https://www.sonnetimpact.co.uk/who-we-are/ ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
A Home for me? Comparing permanence options for children: adoption, SGO, & fostering | ExChange
Alison will discuss a research project which drew on critical discourse analysis to examine how a counter-narrative emerging from the disabled people’s movement was adjusted and amended on its incorporation into government policy. She will set out the methods she used to examine naturally occurring texts, consider how counter-narratives operate as forms of identity (re)construction, and explore the key principles of critical discourse analysis ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Critical Discourse Analysis | CASCADE Masterclass
The voices of those with lived experience of maintaining significant relationships. Abbie and Rosie discuss their personal experiences with Dr John Simmonds regarding maintaining significant relationships through direct contact. Their voices, based on firsthand experience, offer valuable insights on this topic. Read more about this story here: https://www.exchangewales.org/two-mothers-one-child-an-adoptive-mother-and-birth-mother-with-direct-contact/ ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Experiences of direct contact | ExChange Wales
Welcome to our ExChange conference series entitled Reframing Adoption running from May- June 2023. We aim to shine a light on the often forgotten area of adoption and highlight some of the most recent and important research and development in this area. Adoption provides an often elusive permanency for many children and is ever evolving. We have a range of eminent speakers from across the UK who have contributed to our knowledge base on this topic. The conference is opened by Suzanne Griffiths, Head of the National Adoption Service in Wales. The conference series includes live and pre-recorded sessions, podcasts, research reports and blogs. Young people who have been adopted in Wales have created artwork for the conference series, which will be showcased on the ExChange website. https://www.exchangewales.org/reframing-adoption/ Suzanne Griffiths, Director, National Adoption Service for Wales / Foster Wales ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Reframing Adoption | ExChange Wales Conference
The voices of those with lived experience of maintaining significant relationships.<br /><br />Abbie and Rosie talk with Dr John Simmonds about their experience of direct contact.<br /><br />------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption.<br />https://cascadewales.org/<br /><br />​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research.<br />https://www.exchangewales.org/<br /><br />Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu.<br />https://cascadewales.org/<br /><br />​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol.<br />https://www.exchangewales.org/
Experiences of direct contact | ExChange Wales
Housing needs among care-experienced young parents in New South Wales, Australia & ‘People talk at you, not to you: Implications of routine practices in alternative care for young, pregnant and parenting teens. This webinar covers two research studies in Australia.   The first presentation by Amy Gill from University of Sydney is about "Housing needs among care-experienced young parents in New South Wales".  The second, "People talk at you, not to you’: Implications of routine practices in alternative care for young, pregnant and parenting teens" is presented by Jade Purtell from Monash University.  Jade's co-presenters are care experienced parents - Rhiannon, a researcher at Monash University, and Naima, an expert advisor and residential care team leader from the CREATE Foundation, which supports young people leaving care as parents. The presentations and subsequent discussions demonstrate the significant and complex challenges encountered by parenting and pregnant care-experienced young people; the risks and stigma they face; and the ongoing surveillance and involvement of authorities.  A poignant webinar with learning that can be transferred across the globe. ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Care experience parents in Australia:  Two research studies | ExChang Wales
This session stems from recent research undertaken in Wales, concerned with outcomes, experiences and support for young people leaving out-of-home care, who are pregnant or parenting (Roberts 2021). The session will provide an overview of the five-year, mixed methods study, which highlighted the potential for stigma and discrimination, concerning rates of family separation and underdeveloped support responses. In addition, the session will provide details of subsequent impact projects aimed at creating meaningful policy and practice change. Central to this work has been the creation of a good practice charter, aimed at professionals with responsibility for supporting young people leaving out-of-home care. The charter was co-produced with care-experienced parents, with the support of key third sector organisations in Wales and in consultation with statutory professionals. The finalised version encourages commitment to support for young people before they become parents, when they are expecting a child, in the event of concerns about parenting and family separation. Importantly, the charter requires signatories to recognise and challenge stigma and discrimination. The session will present the good practice charter, together with a suite of supporting resources. Care- experienced parents will reflect on their contribution to this work and their hopes for policy and practice change. Finally, consideration and reflection will be afforded to the applicability and acceptability of the resources beyond the Welsh context. ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Empowering Young Parents in Out-of-Home Care: A Good Practice Charter and Supporting Resources
A genuinely supportive social network is crucial to health and wellbeing in motherhood. Feeling supported during challenging times can help to shield the impact of adversity and distress. Mutual support networks resulting from authentic, caring connections with others can be particularly beneficial to people who with histories of fractured family relationships and/or out-of-home care.  This presentation is drawn from a publication accepted for publication in the British Journal of Social Work. All three authors draw on their lived experiences of out-of-home care in Australia and the United States to emphasise the importance of building communities of support to sus tain us as we raise our families, reflect on our childhoods, and strive to provide loving environments for our children.  Three narratives highlight the value of informal support during the joys and challenges of motherhood, and the need for strength based and trauma-- informed practices within health and social work. Drawing on the theory of social support, this presentation argues that professionals should aim to support careexperienced young people to empower themselves by building autonomous and authenti social connections to promote their well as exiting care and becoming parents.  Mae rhwydwaith cymdeithasol c gwirioneddol gefnogol yn hanfodol i iechyd a lles mewn mamolaeth. Gall teimlo eich bod yn cael eich cefnogi yn ystod cyfnod heriol helpu i warchod rhag effaith adfyd a thrallod. Gall rhwydweithiau cymorth cydfuddiannol sy'n deillio o gysylltiadau dilys, go falgar ag eraill fod yn arbennig o fuddiol i bobl sydd â hanes perthnasoedd teuluol toredig a/neu ofal y tu allan i'r cartref.  Tynnir y cyflwyniad hwn o gyhoeddiad a dderbynnir i'w gyhoeddi yn y British Journal of Social Work. Mae'r tri awdur yn tynnu ar eu profiadau byw o ofal y tu allan i'r cartref yn Awstralia a'r Unol Daleithiau i bwysleisio pwysigrwydd adeiladu cymunedau o gefnogaeth i'n cynnal wrth i ni fagu ein teuluoedd, myfyrio ar ein plentyndod, ac ymdrechu i roi amgylcheddau cariadus i'n plan t.  Mae tri naratif yn tynnu sylw at werth cefnogaeth anffurfiol yn ystod uchafbwyntiau a heriau mamolaeth, a'r angen am arferion sy'n seiliedig ar gryfder a thrawma o fewn iechyd a gwaith cymdeithasol. Gan dynnu ar theori cefnogaeth gymdeithasol, mae'r cy flwyniad hwn yn dadlau y dylai gweithwyr proffesiynol anelu at gefnogi pobl ifanc â phrofiad gofal i rymuso eu hunain trwy adeiladu cysylltiadau cymdeithasol ymreolaethol a dilys i hyrwyddo eu lles, yn enwedig yn ystod cyfnodau pontio bywyd fel gadael gofa l a dod yn rhieni.  ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Communities of Support for Care-Experienced Mothers | ExChange Wales
Background: Care leavers, young people who have aged out of residential or foster care, experience many challenges during their transition to adulthood. However, there is relatively little research on care leavers' intimate relationships. Their parenthood has been explored to a greater extent, but mostly qualitatively. Objective: This study focused on Israeli care leavers a decade after leaving care and explored various factors associated with satisfaction with both intimate relationships and parenthood. Methods: One-hundred-and-fifty-two young people participated in the study ten years after leaving care. Toward the end of their 20s, 74.3% were either married or had stable intimate relationships, and 40.1% were parents. To assess satisfaction with intimate relationships and parenthood, two hierarchical regressions were conducted that examined the cumulative contribution of background factors, personal characteristics and social support. Results: Satisfaction with intimate relationships was associated with higher income, fewer traumatic life events, and higher self-esteem. Gender moderated the association of traumatic life events with satisfaction with intimate relationships. Satisfaction with parenthood was associated with fewer traumatic events throughout care leavers' lives; it was also associated with lower levels of mental distress and alcohol use and with higher levels of satisfaction with intimate relationships. Gender moderated the association of mental distress with satisfaction with parenthood. Conclusions: Ten years after leaving care, care leavers' backgrounds (i.e., their traumatic life events) were strongly associated with their situation as adults. Other risk factors such as alcohol use and mental distress were especially relevant to care leavers' satisfaction as parents, demanding longitudinal interventions. ------------------------------------------------ Located within the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, CASCADE Research Centre is concerned with all aspects of community-based responses to social needs in children and families, including family support services, children in need services, child protection, and looking after children and adoption. https://cascadewales.org/ ​ExChange is a project within CASCADE. ExChange an all-Wales network that brings the stakeholders in social care together to share experiences and expertise, and to learn from one another through free events and online resources. Our aim is to improve social work and social care services by creating dialogue and ongoing relationships between people with different types of expertise, informed by recent and current research. https://www.exchangewales.org/ Mae Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE wedi'i lleoli o fewn Ysgol y Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd. Mae’n ymwneud â phob agwedd ar ymatebion cymunedol i anghenion cymdeithasol plant a theuluoedd, gan gynnwys gwasanaethau cymorth i deuluoedd, gwasanaethau i blant mewn angen, amddiffyn plant, plant sy'n derbyn gofal, a mabwysiadu. https://cascadewales.org/ ​Mae ExChange yn brosiect o fewn CASCADE. Rhwydwaith Cymru-gyfan yw ExChange. Ei nod yw dod â'r holl randdeiliaid o fewn gofal cymdeithasol ynghyd i rannu profiadau ac arbenigedd, ac i ddysgu o'i gilydd drwy adnoddau ar-lein a digwyddiadau rhad ac am ddim. Ein nod yw gwella gwaith cymdeithasol a gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol drwy sbarduno trafodaeth a meithrin perthnasau parhaus rhwng pobl â gwahanol fathau o arbenigedd, ar sail ymchwil diweddar a chyfredol. https://www.exchangewales.org/
Satisfaction with intimate relationships and parenthood of care leavers | ExChange Wales
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