Episode Details

How does a Scout leader in the UK end up building foster care services in Virginia? For Richard Kingswell, it certainly wasn't a straightforward career path.

In the very first episode of The Kingswell Conversations, Richard shares the experiences that shaped his more than 30 years working with vulnerable children and families, from leaving a career in insurance to working in youth justice in England, a runaway shelter in Baltimore and a maximum-security juvenile correctional facility in the United States.

Along the way, he reflects on the people, challenges and lessons that influenced his approach to child welfare, including the development of innovative community-based programmes and the eventual creation of Extra Special Parents and FosterVA.

It's an opportunity to get to know the person behind The Kingswell Conversations, understand what drives his commitment to children and families, and explore why he believes that supporting vulnerable young people requires more than good intentions.

In this episode: Richard's journey into child welfare, working with young people with complex needs, the development of therapeutic foster care services, and the importance of continuing to rethink how we support children and families.

Find out more at www.espva.org and www.fosterva.org.

Continue the Conversation

📘 FREE DOWNLOAD | The Comprehensive Guide to Foster Care and Adoption

Looking to deepen your understanding of foster care and adoption? Richard Kingswell's free 45-page comprehensive guide is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the children, families and systems at the heart of child welfare.

Download your free copy here: https://www.fosterva.org/

Connect with Richard Kingswell

With more than 30 years of experience in child welfare, Richard is passionate about sharing knowledge, challenging assumptions and encouraging better conversations about how we support children and families.

Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkingswell/

🎧 Enjoying The Kingswell Conversations? Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and share an episode with someone who cares about improving outcomes for children and families.