Vicky Walker and Dr Dennis Golm are joined by Dr Matt Woolgar and Dr Tom Cawthorne to explore their latest research featured in Adoption & Fostering (Vol. 49, Issue 2).  

They discuss the mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges faced by care-experienced young people, the barriers to accessing effective support, and concerns around the overdiagnosis of attachment and trauma-related conditions. 

The episode also highlights recent changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund and their impact on practice, research quality, and the need for evidence-based approaches to improve outcomes for children.

Dr Matt Woolgar is a consultant clinical psychologist in the NHS and currently leads the psychology services in the National Adoption & Fostering Clinic and the National Conduct Problems Clinic at the Michael Rutter Centre, at the Maudsley Hospital, SLAM NHS Trust. 

Dr Tom Cawthorne is a Senior Clinical Psychologist within the National Conduct Adoption and Fostering Team (CAFT). In this role, he conducts psychological assessments and interventions with children and adolescents who are adopted or fostered and young people presenting with significant behavioural difficulties.

Read the articles: 

• The need for improved recognition of neurodevelopmental conditions in adopted and fostered young people. 

• Letter to the editor - The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund – Which services are available