Gate Psychological Services

15/02/2026

15/02/2026

🌟 Foster carers — the DfE want to hear from you!

The Department for Education is looking for foster carers approved within the last 2 years to take part in a 60‑minute online research interview. This will be about your experience of applying to become a foster carer.

📅 Sessions run 9 to 12 March
💻 60 minutes on Microsoft TEAMS
📝 Share your experience of applying to become a foster carer and help improve the journey for future foster carers

👉 Register your interest to take part and indicate your availability: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yXfS-grGoU2187O4s0qC-fLgHrJzzX5Jt33JfvNWB4JUREJPQTZWSVJETDBGUzJOUTZLUkdJSkFYQS4u

If you’re eligible to take part, a representative from the DfE will get in touch to confirm your session.

11/02/2026

📣The government in England is proposing changes to improve foster care and wants to hear from children and young people who are, or who have ever been in care, and care experienced adults.

👉Young people - https://consult.education.gov.uk/looked-after-children/fostering-for-the-future-views-of-children-and-you/

👉Care experienced adults - https://consult.education.gov.uk/looked-after-children/fostering-for-the-future-improving-the-foster-care/

The consultation closes on 17th March 2026.

31/01/2026

COLLAGE research study for care experienced young people on finding mental health support

Young people (aged 16 – 25, living in England) are invited to share their experiences of finding and getting mental health support via online interview.

This research is led by the University of Birmingham and their partners at the Universities of Bristol and Kent

COLLAGE research flyer

09/01/2026

The pressure to “be back at it” can be loud, especially in caring roles.

But resilience isn’t about pushing through.
It’s about staying connected to yourself while you show up for others.

Gentle January can look like;

🌿 Pacing your return

🌿 Choosing depth over speed

🌿 Noticing when your body tightens and giving it what it needs

🌿 Allowing ‘good enough’

This year, I’m thinking about sustainability from the bottom up. How we look after our bodies, minds and relationships.

🌿 What do we need to build strong, resilient roots? 🌿

19/11/2025

Here is another research opportunity. This time it is for adopters to examine their experience of building their relationship with their adopted children with FASD. It has ethical clearance by Newcastle University. If you're interested, please check the poster below and get in touch with e.parker9@newcastle.ac.uk

18/11/2025

📢 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT - We have moved!

All existing clients please check your email for our new address.

We look forward to welcoming you all to our new space soon 😊

16/10/2025

There is a new service in Durham for OT sensory integration therapy that can be funded by ASGSF and that is FASD informed. They are working on expanding the procurement to the wider north east region. It might be worth exploring as an option.

16/09/2025

16/09/2025

🌿 Celebrating a decade of 'Doctor-ing' and 13 years of friendship 🌿

At the weekend, I swapped the woods for the bustling Newcastle Quayside to mark 10 years since graduating as Clinical Psychologists.

What a 13 years it's been. Full of lows, highs and lots of laughs. We've all ended up following very different paths but I was so very proud to reunite and catch up with this very special group.

Belonging and identity are so very important to us as humans.

No matter how much time has passed, it's important to link in with those who are special to you.

09/09/2025

The Athlone Trust Nurturing Potential Grant is open for applications.

This one-off payment of £500 is available to support adopted children and young people up to the age of 19 with their education and development. The grant can go towards things like tutoring, assessments, learning equipment, or extra-curricular activities that help them grow and thrive.

It’s open to adoptees living in the UK, in families with a household income of up to £70,000 per year. Applications will close on 30th September 2025.

Find full details and the application form here: https://theathlonetrust.org/application/

04/09/2025

🌿 Struggling to feel calm? You're not alone.

Our nervous systems aren't built to stay calm all the time, especially when caring for children who've experienced trauma.

The goal isn't to maintain a constant state of calm, but to learn to notice where you are, understand your responses and gently guide yourself back to safety with compassion.

You don't have to get it right every moment. You're human, you're trying and that's more than enough.

🌿 Your presence matters 💚 follow along and join me in the woods as I make space for those in caring roles.