The Family Futures Podcast - Details, episodes & analysis

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The Family Futures Podcast

Family Futures UK

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/61d. Total Eps: 30

Our podcast is hosted by the team at Family Futures. We bring nearly 30 years of expertise to our conversations - exploring trauma-informed and neuro-affirming approaches to supporting children and young people in SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and care experienced space. We are a nonprofit therapy centre and independent adoption agency, rated Ofsted Outstanding for over 10 years. Listen for practical insights, expert discussions, and lived experience. Find out more at www.familyfutures.co.uk

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Data updated on 28/10/2026

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http://www.familyfutures.co.uk/
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https://www.familyfutures.co.uk/adoption/
4 shares
https://ukc-word-edit.officeapps.live.com/we/www.familyfutures.co.uk
4 shares

https://youtu.be/B_G4Ytpc8Vg?si=A_Ke__-Hexn8ANBV
2 shares
https://youtu.be/kNrAWdH6Ras
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Score global : 17%

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Where do I begin? Navigating neurodiversity and support

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • Duration 27:29

Navigating an autism or ADHD assessment can often feel overwhelming, isolating, and filled with uncertainty. From facing long waiting lists and school attendance struggles, to managing post-diagnostic identity and burnout, how do we best support children and parents through the assessment journey?

In this episode, Family Futures team members Charlotte Mumford, ADHDer and Autistic person, and Georgie Kovoor, Clinical Specialist, Senior Music Therapist, and member of the neurodiversity assessment team draw on both clinical practice and personal lived experience. They discuss the reality of assessments: why a diagnosis is never just a label, how early masking leads to after-school meltdowns, and why a neuro-affirming approach bridges the gap between home, school, and therapy.

Together, they discuss:

What we’ve learnt from parents on discovery calls: school attendance barriers, feeling blamed

The waiting list reality: navigating uncertainty, late diagnosis, and the post-diagnostic shift in perspective

Why post-assessment feedback matters: focusing on both strengths and difficulties, and communicating findings to children and young people in an age appropriate way

Trauma vs. neurodiversity: understanding the overlap

Masking and after-school collapse: why children appear "fine" in school but meltdown at home

Practical self-care and permission to pause: managing EHCP burnout, social comparisons, and family regulation

Where to begin: from 20-minute discovery calls to sensory integration assessments and parent consultations

Get in touch today and book a free discovery call with our therapy team for help and guidance in finding the right support for your child ⁠www.familyfutures.co.uk/forms/therapy-enquiry⁠

Resources mentioned:

Explore our neurodiversity assessments and therapies: ⁠https://www.familyfutures.co.uk/therapy⁠
Training and resources for schools and professionals: ⁠https://www.familyfutures.co.uk/training⁠
Watch the 'Unauthorised Absence' trailer: https://youtu.be/B_G4Ytpc8Vg?si=A_Ke__-Hexn8ANBV
@neuroteachersUK: teacher training mentor : https://www.instagram.com/neuroteachersuk?vrfl=MTdibGM1c2t5OW16bw==
In a typical UK classroom of 30 pupils, an estimated 4 to 6 children are neurodivergent

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome and introductions: lived experience and clinical perspective

01:00 – 'Unauthorised Absence': school distress, attendance struggles, and parental blame

04:15 – The assessment waiting game: uncertainty, advocacy, and late diagnosis

06:45 – What happens after a diagnosis: communicating strengths and needs to children

10:10 – Supporting schools: insights from our neuro-affirming and trauma-informed webinar

12:15 – Trauma vs. autism/ADHD: exploring the diagnostic overlap in the classroom

14:15 – Classroom observations: bridging the gap for teachers and SENCOs

17:15 – Masking at school and after-school meltdowns: why children crash at home

19:30 – Parental burnout, self-care, and letting go of comparison guilt

24:00 – The power of rest: honouring neurodivergent downtime

25:30 – Where to start: discovery calls, parent consultations and sensory assessments

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and share. You can explore more resources, research, and ways we support families at familyfutures.co.uk

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Demystifying EMDR

Season 1

Sunday, March 1, 2026 • Duration 31:00

What is EMDR? Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful therapeutic tool designed to help the brain process traumatic memories. Unlike traditional talking therapy, it uses bilateral stimulation (typically this is guided eye movements) to reduce the emotional charge of distressing experiences, allowing the mind to heal.

In this episode, we explore what an EMDR session looks like, how quickly you might see results and who could benefit most from this approach.

Listen to the special place visualisation here.

We currently offer EMDR through our therapy service. If you’re curious about how EMDR could support you or a family member, our team is here to help.

www.familyfutures.co.uk/therapy/therapies

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What should adoption support look like?

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 • Duration 30:00

We believe in providing therapeutic support from the start. When a child first moves in with their adoptive family support is key to their future stability and wellbeing. Thanks to a generous donor, we are now able to offer guaranteed support to all our iAdopt families in their first year while longer term funding is set up.

In this episode Family Futures co founder, CEO and therapist Jay Vaughan, alongside, iAdopt team leader and social worker Phil Kane, discuss the importance of early support and what that looks like at Family Futures.

If you’d like to know more about becoming a parent through our iAdopt service or you have any questions about adoption, you can contact us via email, phone or our website to arrange a one to one call with a member of our team.

www.familyfutures.co.uk

iAdopt@familyfutures.co.uk

020 7354 4161

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Thinking about adoption? Your FAQs, answered.

Friday, September 12, 2025 • Duration 34:04

This episode is for any listeners thinking about adoption. iAdopt team leader, Phil answers your most frequently asked questions. You can find a time stamped guide to the episode below.

If you’d like to find out more about adopting with iAdopt, get in touch via our website to arrange a call with a member of our team.

www.familyfutures.co.uk/adoption

00:49 – Meet Phil Kane
Phil shares his background and 20+ years of experience in children’s social care.

01:48 – First Steps in the Adoption Process
How to get in touch, what happens on an initial call, and the purpose of an initial consultation.

06:07 – Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA) vs Regional Adoption Agency (RAA)
Key differences, how family finding works, and why someone might choose a VAA.

12:32 – Why Choose Family Futures?
Our personal, therapeutic, and creative approach to adoption assessment.

15:13 – Assessment Process Explained
Stage One & Stage Two, therapeutic tools used, and how adopters are supported.

20:42 – Children’s Needs
What prospective adopters should expect and how to prepare.

24:57 – Contact with Birth Family
What contact can look like, why it matters for children’s identity, and how it is managed safely.

27:54 – What Children Need Most
Predictability, routine, love, and being listened to - plus Phil’s professional reflections.

30:11 – Advice for Prospective Adopters
Practical tips: start conversations, do your research, voluntary work, keep a log, and explore different agencies.

Neurobody Psychotherapy, our model

Friday, August 22, 2025 • Duration 27:44

In this episode, Jay Vaughan MBE, CEO of Family Futures and trainer explores why our unique therapy model works, the powerful research outcomes behind it, and how professionals across disciplines can apply this neuro-sequential approach in their own practice.

Find out more here.

The 2023 research referenced in the discussion [Family‑based psychological interventions for domestically adoptive families: a systematic review]

The POTATO group (parents of traumatised adopted teens organisation) research.

Timestamp topic guide

00:35 – Jay’s role at Family Futures
Jay shares her background, passion for therapy, and ongoing work with children and families.

02:02 – The Family Futures journey
Reflection on 28 years of practice and over 30 years working with children from the care system.

02:32 – What is NPP?
Jay explains Neuro-Physiological Psychotherapy (NPP) – working with brain and body, neuro-sequential thinking, and supporting regulation, relationships, and reflective thinking.

03:36 – The evidence base
Overview of research since 2016, including the 2019 published study, positive outcomes, and comparison studies highlighting the risks of no intervention.

06:04 – Disseminating the model
Why Family Futures wants to share NPP beyond Family Futures and how it can be applied more widely.

07:16 – NPP as a framework, not just a therapy
Exploring how professionals from a wide range of disciplines can use NPP thinking in their work.

Education, executive functioning and neuro-affirming practice

Thursday, August 21, 2025 • Duration 36:36

In this episode Angela Palacios (Senior Educational Psychotherapist and Neurodiversity-Affirming Practitioner) talks about how educational psychotherapy, executive function coaching, and support for emotionally based school avoidance can help children and families. She explains and explores neuro-affirming practice shifts the focus from “fixing” individuals to creating supportive environments, and how strengths-based approaches can empower neurodiverse children and young people.

To find out more about The Wellbeing Hub visit our website familyfutures.co.uk/wellbeing-hub

Timestamped Guide

00:01 – Introduction
Charlotte introduces Angela Palacios and the three areas of support offered through the Wellbeing Hub.

00:40 – Angela’s Story
Angela shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD at 43 and how her experience informs her practice.

03:43 – What is Executive Function Coaching?
Exploring executive functions, daily tasks, and how coaching sessions support children, young people, and adults.

06:40 – Practical Examples of Executive Function Coaching
Breaking routines into steps, building strategies, and managing the stress of everyday tasks.

09:20 – Understanding Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Why children refuse school, the role of anxiety, and how to identify underlying causes.

11:39 – Educational Psychotherapy in Practice
How sessions explore learning-linked anxiety, and the difference between therapy and tutoring.

14:10 – The Emotional Roots of School StressHow shame, avoidance, and learning struggles intersect in the classroom.

The research behind our therapy model

Friday, July 18, 2025 • Duration 56:45

An evidenced based therapy model, Neurobody Psychotherapy.

In this episode, Dr. Elaine McCullough, Clinical Psychologist explores the thinking behind the Neuro Physiological Psychotherapy (Neurobody) model and the published research that supports it. Dr. McCullough unpacks the physical and emotional effects of developmental trauma, the role of co-regulation in healing, and how the Neurobody model helps children build safety, connection, and long-term resilience. Dr. McCullough also shares key findings from research into the model’s effectiveness, including outcomes for children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and neurodevelopmental needs.

Read the findings here.

Timestamp Topic Guide

0:00 – Introduction to the episode and Dr. Elaine McCullough
2:12 – What is the NPP model? Overview of how it works
4:49 – The nervous system and Polyvagal Theory explained
7:37 – Cues of safety, sensory work, and parent-child co-regulation
10:38 – Why you can’t start with talking therapy
13:51 – How safety builds new neural pathways and emotional memory
16:50 – How staff use the model across all therapeutic disciplines
18:46 – What “neurosequential but not linear” means in practice
19:44 – Why the research began: early outcomes and evidence
22:47 – What “the full model” includes
24:57 – Key findings: behavioural and educational outcomes
28:53 – The statistics: relationships, medication, school access
32:21 – What stands out from the research?
34:33 – Why don’t we invest earlier? A call for cost-benefit analysis
37:02 – Prenatal alcohol exposure: new findings from the most recent research
41:39 – The NPP model and FASD: what the data shows
44:23 – Neurodiversity, ADHD, and overlapping presentations
48:52 – What’s next: pathways, plasticity, and brain repair
54:19 – Physical damage from trauma and signs of neurological recovery

Alex and James share their adoption story

Season 1 · Episode 8

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 • Duration 32:50

In this special Q&A episode, recorded at one of our adoption information evenings, approved adopters Alex and James share their story - from assessment and matching to parenting a child with additional needs.

Interviewed by their assessing social worker Phil Kane, and joined by fellow Family Futures social worker and parent through adoption Caz, they reflect on the impact of therapeutic support, the realities of family finding, and the role of a support network – including what a network meeting really involves.

We host these events regularly for anyone exploring adoption, details of our next information evening can be found on our website.

Learn more at ⁠www.familyfutures.co.uk

00:00 – Intro & What to ExpectAn overview of this Q&A session from a Family Futures Information Evening with adopters Alex and James, hosted by Phil Kane, with insights from social worker Caz.

01:03 – Family Finding TimelineAlex shares how they were approved in January, found their son quickly, but waited several months before introductions began.

01:47 – Choosing Family Futures & the Assessment ExperienceWhy Alex and James chose Family Futures over their local authority and what stood out in the therapeutic, creative assessment process.

07:14 – Support Through Family FindingFrom connecting with fellow adopters to managing frustrations and emotional highs and lows during matching.

10:00 – Expectations vs. Reality in Family FindingAlex reflects on viewing 125–150 profiles, the types of children available, and how they shifted from expecting to adopt a 2-year-old to adopting a 7-year-old.

13:02 – Feeling Supported & Staying GroundedThe importance of honest conversations, managing hopes, and having realistic expectations during family finding.

14:17 – Meeting the Birth FamilyAlex recounts the powerful, emotional, and ultimately rewarding experience of meeting their son's birth family — and why it mattered for their son’s identity.

ASGSF changes #ACutTooFar #CareNotCuts

Monday, April 28, 2025 • Duration 38:08

ASGSF funding cuts – sign the petition and join the march

Sign the petition to reverse ASGSF funding cuts here: Petition · Action Against ASGSF Changes (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund) – United Kingdom · Change.org.

The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund provides vital therapy for traumatised children and has been drastically cut this month, leaving many vulnerable children and their families struggling and in crisis.

Clare, a parent whose daughters come to Family Futures for therapy, has set up a protest march and petition against the funding cuts to highlight the impact this is having on vulnerable children across England. Please share and help spread the word.

The protest march will take place on 3rd May at 1pm.

⁠You can find more information and news at www.familyfutures.co.uk⁠

Find out more about the 3rd May peaceful march here

Write to your MP

Listen to the ASGSF discussion on BBC 5 Live Nicky Campbell show, 17 April 2025 10-11am

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Special place visualisation for self care

Season 1 · Episode 6

Friday, March 21, 2025 • Duration 06:48

You'll be guided through a special place visualisation—a simple yet powerful exercise to help you find calm and relaxation whenever you need it.

This technique, typically used in EMDR therapy, helps create a mental sanctuary where you feel safe and at peace.

Whether you're a young person managing stress or a parent/carer supporting others, this practice can be a valuable tool for self-care.

Take a deep breath, find a quiet space, and join us in this guided relaxation.

If you're interested in EMDR we offer sessions for adults and adolescents through The Family Futures Wellbeing Hub, email us for a free consultation wellbeinghub@familyfutures.co.uk

Follow and subscribe for more self-care sessions.

Created and produced by Charlotte Mumford

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The Family Futures Podcast - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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The Family Futures Podcast - Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other36

YouTube2

UK government3

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other36

YouTube2

UK government3