Brian Roberts

Brian is an independent consultant and trainer on supporting vulnerable and traumatised children and young people. His teaching career of over 25 years culminated in being Head of Virtual School in two English local authorities, and he was one of the Heads who was on the Department for Children, Schools and Families national pilot. He was England's only Advanced Skills Teacher for Enterprise Education and Student Voice and Leadership and in this capacity worked with many national organisations to promote student voice.

Brian has also been a Local Authority foster carer and Special Guardian for over 20 years, providing with his wife long term foster care for large sibling groups. Currently, they are the Special Guardians of three girls that they previously looked after,and they regularly foster babies and toddlers in preparation for adoption. Brian is the Chair of the Fostering Networks England Advisory Committee, and has been involved in national pilots of one-to-one tuition, Treatment Foster Care and the Assisted Boarding School Pathfinder. He sits on the fostering panels of two independent agencies in the Eastern Region.

Two of the girls living with Brian have been seriously disabled by their birth mothers' consumption of alcohol while pregnant, and this has led to him becoming an expert in Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). It is estimated that 3 in 10 of all children in the care system are affected to some degree by FASD. He presents on the topic nationally and also advises the Department for Education on the condition.

experience

• 2017–Present: Assessor & Verifier for Industry (Vocational) Qualifications
• 2016–Present: Foster Care Associates Fostering Panel Member East Midlands Region
• 2013–Present: Independent Fostering Panel Member Foster Care Associates Eastern Region
• 2013–Present: Independent Trainer and Consultant, Field of Enterprise
• 2011–Present: Associate Trainer, Kate Cairns Associates
• 1993–Present: Foster Carer, Bedfordshire County Council and Central Bedfordshire Council/Bedford Borough Council
• 2016–2017: Independent Fostering Panel Member Scope Fostering Services Eastern Region
• 2016–2017: SCOPE Fostering Panel Member Eastern Region
• 2013–2017: Governor Glebelands Primary School Chatteris Cambridgeshire
• 2005–2017: Chair of England Advisory Committee, The Fostering Network
• 2011–2015: Chair of Educational Forum, Trainer and Consultant, The FASD Trust
• 2011–2013: Director of Education, Trainer and Consultant; The FASD Trust
• 2009–2013: Head of Virtual School for Looked After Children, Peterborough City Council; Consultant to DCSF pilot
• 2010–2011: Visiting tutor CPD Course on Looked After Children for Designated Teachers at Homerton College, Cambridge University & Cambridgeshire Virtual School
• 2008–2009: Head of Virtual School for Looked After Children, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council; DCSF Pilot Head
• 2007–2008: School Improvement Consultant, Bedfordshire School Improvement Partnership / Bedfordshire County Council
• 2004–2008: Advanced Skills Teacher - Enterprise Education, Bedfordshire County Council
• 1988–2004: Teacher, Assistant Head of Year, Head of Carers Education & Guidance, Assistant Head Teacher: Hastingsbury Upper School & Community College / Hastingsbury Business & Enterprise College, Bedford - Geography, all Humanities subjects, Travel & Tourism, IT, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Student Exchange Programme USA. Staff Governor.
• 1990–1994: Parent Governor John Gibbard Lower School Sharnbrook Bedfordshire

qualifications

• Advanced Skills Teacher, Department of Education and Skills, 2004
• Certificate of Professional Development; Best Practice Research Scholarship - Student Voice and Leadership, Department of Education and Skills, 2001
• Certificate of Professional Study - Careers Education and Guidance, University of Cambridge, 1995
• MA in Management (Education), Open University, 1994
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary), University of Leeds, 1984
• BSc in Applied Geography CNAA, Coventry (Lanchester) Polytechnic, 1983

publications

• 'I know that I am in my own world; it's ok, they know me here' : the challenge of coping with FASD in educational settings. Adoption and Fostering Vol 39 (3) – Sage Publications/ Coram BAAF, 2015
• 'All about me' FASD workbook for 8 -14 year olds – FASD Trust, 2013
• Best Practice Research Scholarship – Promoting Student Voice and Leadership, 2001

feedback

• “ Captivating! Brain Roberts was excellent. ” Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire – May 2018
• “ The training was excellent and it was just what we need at this moment in time. The trainer was excellent and very engaging and supportive. It was really helpful to be able to talk about specific difficulties and be given new solutions. Also, having reassurance about strategies used is greatly appreciated. ” Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire – May 2018
• “ Amazing delivery of a very important and powerful subject ” Participant, Middlesborough – April 2018
• “ Brian was fantastic and it was inspiring to hear of his real-life experiences. Thank you ” Sarah Sivers – November 2017
• “ The course gave me 'permission' to take time with the deescalation and recovery for children - something that is usually rushed due to pressures to get through the curriculum. ” Participant, Hartlepool – September 2017
• “ Essential training for teachers working with children who present with behavioural difficulties. This training challenges preconceptions and encourages you to think about your ways of working. ” Participant, Surrey – December 2016
• “ His presentation flowed because he was very knowledgable and could speak from experience. A perfect trainer on this course. ” Lorna Wilkinson, South East – November 2016
• “ Light bulb moments, enlightening ” Pamela Dale, South West – May 2016
• “ Excellent presentation; a well-motivated speaker who continued to engage fully with participants. ” Participant, South West – June 2014
• “ I manage a contact centre, and found this information so very relevant to the work we do with children from separated familes. ” Helen Evans, Yorkshire and Humberside – May 2014
• “ An absolutely fantastic course from a truly inspirational woman ” Judi Jackson, Yorkshire and Humberside – May 2014
• “ A course that every educator, foster parent and adoptive parent must do. ” Lisa Sharratt, Head Teacher, Cambridgeshire – October 2012
• “ My staff will all receive training in January... Everything suddenly became crystal clear. ” Lisa Sharratt, head teacher, Cambridgeshire – October 2012
• “ Hearing from someone who has direct experience is extremely valuable and makes it real. ” Debbie Watson, North East – October 2012
• “ Very knowledgable and experienced facilitator - added a personal touch by bringing his own experiences to the training. ” Cath Sobolewski, SWIIS Foster Care – March 2012