In this episode of Care Visions Talks: Professional Talk, host Humphrey Hawksley is joined by Dr Andrew G. Thomas, PhD for a thoughtful conversation exploring male identity in a rapidly changing social world.
Together, they examine how masculinity is evolving, the pressures facing boys and men today, and what this means for families, care systems, education and professional practice.

In this conversation, we explore:
• How male identity is shaped by culture and expectation
• The challenges facing boys and young men
• Masculinity, mental health and emotional expression
• Relationships, belonging and purpose
• The role of care systems and professionals
• Supporting healthier male development

This episode offers valuable insight for parents, carers, educators and professionals supporting boys and young men in today’s society.

Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families.

Explore all episodes and resources:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Listen and follow:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cG6jiszfjSBvyLsFjfpre

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareVisionsTalks

Follow on social media:

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In this episode of Care Visions Talks: Family Talk, host Lucy Johnston is joined by Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister OBE MP for a timely and in-depth conversation on fostering reform in the UK.

Drawing on his leadership of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, the Minister outlines a vision to transform a system he believes has become too focused on process rather than people.

From the urgent need to recruit 10,000 new foster carers, to removing unnecessary barriers preventing families from stepping forward, this discussion explores what meaningful reform could look like — and why change is needed now.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The foster carer shortage in the UK
• Plans to recruit 10,000 new foster carers
• Barriers facing prospective fostering families
• Approval processes and bureaucratic challenges
• Children being placed far from home
• Stability, belonging and community connections
• Investment and future reform plans

If you care about the future of fostering, children’s social care, and creating stable, loving homes, this is an essential conversation.

Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families.

Explore all episodes and resources:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Listen and follow:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cG6jiszfjSBvyLsFjfpre

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareVisionsTalks

Follow on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/carevisionstalks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareVisionsTalks

Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.

In this episode of Care Visions Talks: Professional Talk, host Humphrey Hawksley is joined by Professor Claire Cameron, the UK’s first Professor of Social Pedagogy, for a reflective and practice-focused conversation about care, relationships and professional culture.

Drawing on a career spanning residential care, frontline social work, research and policy, Claire explores how care systems function — and where they risk losing their relational core.

In this conversation, we explore:
• What social pedagogy is and why it matters
• The role of relationships in care practice
• Moving beyond compliance and procedures
• Ethics, dignity and everyday care
• Lessons for social workers and practitioners
• Leadership and organisational culture
• Supporting children and families relationally

Claire reflects on how care has evolved over time, where systems risk becoming overly procedural, and how social pedagogy offers a hopeful and practical framework for the future of care.

This episode is particularly relevant for professionals working in:
• Social work
• Fostering
• Residential care
• Education
• Youth work
• Children’s services
• Policy and leadership

Care Visions Talks is a UK podcast sharing conversations on parenting, fostering, care experience and supporting families.

Explore all episodes and resources:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Listen and follow:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/care-visions-talks/id1819875561

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cG6jiszfjSBvyLsFjfpre

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CareVisionsTalks

Follow on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/carevisionstalks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareVisionsTalks

Join our mailing list for new episodes, events and updates:
https://carevisionsfostering.co.uk/care-visions-family-talk

Subscribe to stay connected with Care Visions Talks.