PhD researchers Lorna Stabler, Cardiff University and Abbie Toner, University of Suffolk both have experience of being kinship carers. Lorna has carried out research with kinship carers on projects in England and Wales, and Abbie has extensive experience of supporting grandparent carers and children as a support worker for two local authorities and a third sector organisation.

Kinship care is often discussed as another form of care for children and young people who cannot live with their previous primary carers. Because of this, terms that are used within social work and the care system are often applied to kinship care. However, when they are considered more closely, some terms don't seem to make much sense. As part of the EXCHANGE conference focusing on transitions, in this podcast Lorna and Abbie discuss how we could think about transitions within and from kinship care, and what we might need to understand more about.  They will draw on their experiences in research, practice and lived experiences to explore this under developed area.

Mae gan yr ymchwilwyr PhD Lorna Stabler, Prifysgol Caerdydd ac Abbie Toner, Prifysgol Suffolk brofiad o fod yn ofalwyr sy’n berthnasau. Mae Lorna wedi gwneud gwaith ymchwil gyda gofalwyr sy’n berthnasau, yn rhan o brosiectau yng Nghymru a Lloegr. Mae gan Abbie brofiad helaeth o gefnogi’r rhai sy’n gofalu am eu teidiau, eu neiniau a’u plant ar ôl cyflawni swydd Gweithiwr Cymorth mewn dau awdurdod lleol a sefydliad yn y trydydd sector.

Yn aml, mae gofal gan berthynas yn cael ei drin a’i drafod fel math arall o ofal i blant a phobl ifanc na allant fyw gyda’u prif ofalwyr blaenorol. Oherwydd hyn, mae’r termau a ddefnyddir ym maes gofal a gwaith cymdeithasol yn aml yn cael eu defnyddio ym maes gofal gan berthynas. Fodd bynnag, wrth ystyried y termau hyn ymhellach, mae’n ymddangos nad yw rhai ohonynt yn gwneud llawer o synnwyr. Yn rhan o gynhadledd ExChange sy'n canolbwyntio ar bontio, mae Lorna ac Abbie, mewn podlediad, yn trafod sut y gallem feddwl am bontio ym maes gofal gan berthynas a beth y gallai fod angen i ni ddeall mwy amdano. Byddant yn defnyddio eu profiad o wneud ymchwil, eu hymarfer a’u profiadau go iawn i archwilio'r maes annatblygedig hwn.