Able to Care

When the System Fails, Love Doesn’t

In this moving and deeply insightful episode, Andy Baker is joined by Jenny Clark, who shares her powerful journey of supporting her sister Liz, who had Down’s syndrome and was later diagnosed with young onset dementia. This conversation is a heartfelt look at the realities of caregiving, family advocacy, and navigating health and social care systems when your loved one doesn’t fit the typical mould.
Whether you're a parent, carer, educator, or health professional, Jenny's story sheds light on the intersection of learning disability and dementia, highlighting the gaps, the grief, and the deep love that fuels family-led support.
🙌 Sponsor – Carers Card UK
This episode is brought to you by Carers Card UK – helping unpaid carers access vital discounts, resources, and recognition.🎁   Order your card today
🧰 Resources & Links Mentioned:
Young Dementia Network: https://www.youngdementianetwork.org
Down’s Syndrome Association: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
DEEP – Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project: https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk
Management systems, audit and training www.elliem.co.uk
💡 Three Key Messages:
Diagnosis is not the end – it's a transition.Jenny describes how a diagnosis of dementia in someone with Down’s syndrome is often misunderstood or delayed. Her story challenges professionals to see the person, not just the condition.
Family advocacy is vital and exhausting.Jenny’s commitment to Liz’s dignity highlights the emotional toll – and strength – of sibling carers. Advocacy isn’t always loud; sometimes it’s persistent, quiet love.
We need better systems, not better families.Jenny outlines how disjointed services and undertrained professionals left gaps in Liz’s care. It's a call for systemic change, not just individual heroics.
⏱️ Episode Chapters & Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome and introduction03:05 – Meet Jenny and the story of her sister Liz07:40 – Early signs of dementia in someone with Down’s syndrome12:55 – Diagnosis challenges and assumptions in services18:30 – Being a sibling carer: identity, grief, and resilience25:15 – Fighting for better care and dignity33:45 – The emotional toll of navigating the system39:10 – Reflections on what needs to change45:00 – Jenny’s message for carers, educators, and professionals49:30 – Final thoughts and resources
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you support someone with a learning disability, this episode will help you spot the early signs of young onset dementia.
If you are a sibling carer, Jenny’s story offers validation, support, and solidarity.
If you work in health, education or social care, this episode highlights the vital need for person-centred thinking and joined-up support.
📱 Connect and Share:
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👉 Follow us on Social Media:
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

Is “Good Behaviour” Hiding a Bigger Problem?

In this episode of the Able To Care Podcast Andy Baker challenges one of the most common assumptions in caregiving and education: that quiet, compliant behaviour means a child or adult is okay. From classrooms to care homes, we often confuse a lack of disruption with emotional wellbeing—but the two aren't always connected.
This episode explores how masking, compliance, and people-pleasing can be signs of distress, not progress. It’s a must-listen for parents, teachers, and carers who want to better understand what behaviour really tells us—and when silence might be a red flag.
💡 Sponsor Message:
This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one carers card, offering:
Discounts on gym memberships, days out, clothing, and more
A wellbeing hub, the Carers Circle tool, and access to a supportive community
An ID card you can carry with pride
Whether you're a paid or unpaid carer, support yourself while you support others.
👉  Order your card today
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Able Hub – Free tools, training, and community for carers, parents, and educators
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
Mood Monitoring Tools – Consider using apps or visual emotion charts
✅ Three Key Messages:
Behaviour ≠ Wellbeing – Quietness and compliance can sometimes be signs of masking or distress.
Check in Emotionally, Not Just Behaviourally – Emotional check-ins should be part of daily practice, not just reserved for crisis moments.
Masking is Not a Sign of Progress – Children and adults may learn to “be good” to avoid punishment, not because they feel safe or happy.
⏳ Timestamps (Chapter Markers):
[00:00] – Introduction: “She’s been so good lately…”
[01:00] – Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK
[02:00] – Behaviour vs. Wellbeing: What Are We Really Measuring?
[04:00] – The Masking Effect in Trauma and Neurodivergence
[05:30] – Real-Life Examples: When ‘Good’ Isn’t Good News
[07:00] – What to Ask Instead of “Have They Been Good?”
[08:00] – Emotional Check-ins: Why Staff Should Model Too
[09:00] – Looking Beyond the Surface: Signs of Emotional Safety
[10:00] – Final Thoughts: Moving from Behaviour to Belonging
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you work with or care for children, young people, or adults—this episode could shift your entire perspective. Andy Baker shares practical insights and powerful real-life scenarios to help you move beyond behavioural assumptions and start seeing the person underneath. Whether you're a parent, educator, or care professional, you’ll walk away better equipped to ask the right questions and support emotional wellbeing more effectively.
📲 Connect with Us!
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
🙌 This is a Free Resource
If this episode made you pause and think, share it with your team, your school, or your care community. Start a conversation. Let’s build a culture of curiosity, not just compliance.
🎧 Subscribe to the Able to Care Podcast and leave a review to help others find the support they need.

Supporting Struggling Minds: Executive Function Explained

In this compelling episode of the Able to Care podcast, I’m joined by Belinda Eddington, Executive Function Coach and founder of MindSpark CIC. Together, we unpack one of the most misunderstood and essential aspects of human development – executive functioning. From how children plan, organise and regulate emotions, to how adults can support growth through understanding, Belinda shares her passion, research and practical strategies for educators, carers and parents.
Whether you’re raising a child, working in a school, or simply trying to understand your own thinking a bit better – this episode is full of lightbulb moments.
🛍️ Sponsored by Carers Card UK
We’re proud to be sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s #1 discount card for unpaid and paid carers.
💷 Enjoy thousands of pounds worth of savings📲 Access emergency ID, wellbeing tools, and a private carers community🛒 Discounts on days out, clothing, gyms, eyewear, and more
➡️ Get yours today: Click Here
🧰 Resources Mentioned
MindSpark CIC: Find Out More 
MindSpark Coach Training: Find Out More 
Books:
Smart but Scattered series – Peg Dawson
The Developing Mind – Dr Dan Siegel
The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
Via Strengths Questionnaire: www.viacharacter.org
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🔑 Three Key Messages
Executive function is not just academic – it’s foundational. These brain-based skills shape behaviour, learning, self-regulation and relationships.
Understanding comes before intervention. Rather than focusing on the ‘what’, shift your mindset to ask ‘why’ – be a detective, not a judge.
Support builds from strength. Executive functioning challenges are real – but with compassion, coaching, and the right scaffolds, growth is absolutely possible.
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Sponsored message: Carers Card UK01:55 – Welcome & topic introduction02:05 – Meet Belinda: background and expertise04:00 – What is executive functioning? Explained07:00 – Real-world examples of executive function challenges12:00 – How trauma, stress, and neurodivergence impact EF18:00 – Strategies: scaffolding, coaching, metacognition24:00 – Behaviour, mindsets, and flipping the lid32:00 – Embedding executive function into school culture40:00 – Belinda’s research in schools and findings51:00 – Strength-based conversations and personalised support54:00 – Final reflections and why this matters
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?
You’ll finally understand what executive functioning means – and why it matters for every child and adult.
Belinda offers practical examples for supporting children who struggle with memory, planning, or emotional control.
If you work in schools, care, or parenting – this episode will help you spot challenges earlier and respond more compassionately.
Plus, we explore how your own regulation as a professional or parent influences your ability to support others.
🔗 Stay Connected
Follow Able to Care for more compassionate conversations that empower carers, educators and parents:
📺 YouTube: Able to Care Channel
📸 Instagram: @AbleTraining
💼 LinkedIn:  Able Training
🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
📲 TikTok:  @AbleToCarePodcast

Positive Culture Starts with You: Why Carers Need Praise Too

We’re always told to “catch them being good”—but what about the people doing the catching? In this solo episode of the Able to Care podcast, host Andy Baker shines a spotlight on the forgotten ingredient of exceptional care: the carers, teachers, support workers, and parents doing the daily work of holding everything together. If we want positive outcomes, we must nurture positive environments—and that starts with recognising and valuing the people behind the care.
🎧 This is a free, listener-focused resource for anyone who wants to build stronger, more compassionate cultures from the inside out.
🤝 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
We’re proud to be sponsored by Carers Card UK.Carers Card UK offers:
💳 A trusted ID card with emergency info access
💸 Discounts on everyday essentials (gyms, shops, glasses, more)
🧠 A wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and supportive communityAll of this for less than the cost of a box of chocolates per year.➡️ 🎟️ Order your card today
🧰 Resources & Mentions
PERMA Model by Dr. Martin Seligman
Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan)
Targeting the Positive by Andy Baker
📌 Three Key Takeaways
Recognition isn’t optional—it’s fuel for performance, morale, and retention.
Motivation thrives when staff feel autonomous, competent, and connected.
Positive team culture is contagious—model it, and it spreads to every pupil, resident, and family.
⏱️ Episode Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Catching Them Being Good: Why it matters more than you think01:54 – Sponsored Message: Carers Card UK02:15 – The True Cost of Neglecting Carers03:02 – Intrinsic Motivation & Wellbeing Models04:26 – Seligman, PERMA & Self-Determination Theory Explained05:04 – Emotional Contagion and Organisational Culture06:27 – Recognising Effort, Not Just Perfection07:11 – Team Practices That Actually Work08:21 – Peer Recognition & Praise With Meaning09:13 – The Ripple Effect of Positive Culture09:37 – Final Reflection & Your Next Step
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you're a parent, teacher, or care provider, this episode is your reminder that you matter too. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and culture starts with what you model. Whether you lead a classroom, manage a shift, or support someone at home, Andy’s insight will leave you equipped—and inspired—to build teams and families that thrive on recognition, not just responsibility.
🔗 Connect with Us
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
📣 Enjoyed Listening to this episode?
💬 Leave us a comment on Podbean🔁 Share it with a colleague or team member⭐ Subscribe so you never miss an episodeLet’s start a culture of care—one ‘thank you’ at a time.

Retained Reflexes & Behaviour: A Game-Changer for Parents and Teachers

In this enlightening episode of the Able to Care podcast, I’m joined by Lara Barnes—a functional neurology specialist and passionate parent—who shares her remarkable journey into brain development, sensory processing, and retained reflexes. We explore how these often-overlooked factors can profoundly influence a child’s behaviour, focus, speech, and learning.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver supporting a neurodiverse child or simply curious about alternative approaches to child development, this episode is packed with insight. Lara’s perspective combines personal experience, evidence-based strategies, and deeply compassionate care.
This is a free resource from the Able to Care podcast, created to be both accessible and practical for those supporting children and young people.
💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
Proudly supporting carers with discounts, ID, wellbeing tools, and community—Carers Card UK recognises the unseen work of those who care.🎁 Claim your exclusive discount with our partner link:👉  Order your card today
🛠️ Resources Mentioned
Lara’s website: https://braindevelopment.co.uk
Reflex-focused workshops and support: https://braindevelopment.co.uk/events
Disconnected Kids by Dr Robert Melillo – the book that inspired Lara’s journey
Lara's training: Certified in Dr Melillo’s Brain Balance Program
💡 Three Key Takeaways
Retained reflexes can explain challenges in learning, speech, and behaviour – addressing these root causes can shift a child’s trajectory.
Neuroplasticity is real and hopeful – the brain develops until around age 20, so early intervention isn’t the only option.
Small, sensory-based exercises at home can make huge differences – you don’t need to be a specialist to support your child’s brain growth.
⏱️ Chapter Timestamps
00:03:00 – What are primitive reflexes and why they matter beyond babyhood
00:10:00 – Lara’s personal story: helping her son with retained reflexes
00:20:00 – The building blocks of the brain: grey matter, white matter and roadmaps
00:28:00 – How to identify signs your child might have retained reflexes
00:37:00 – Real-life success stories from Lara’s clinic
00:46:00 – Supporting your child: practical tips and parent encouragement
00:54:00 – Final reflections: What every caregiver should know
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
If your child struggles with speech, behaviour, or focus—and you’ve been told to "wait and see"—this episode will offer a fresh perspective and tangible hope. Lara’s approach is especially valuable for parents navigating neurodiversity, educators trying to better understand behaviour in the classroom, and carers seeking new ways to empower the young people they support.
You’ll walk away with new tools, renewed belief, and a powerful reminder: every behaviour has a root cause—and you can help change the outcome.
🔗 Stay Connected
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
🙌 Enjoyed the Episode?
Please subscribe, leave a review on Podbean, or share this with someone who cares for or teaches children. Let’s build a world where we all better understand the behaviours we see.

Reclaiming Boundaries in a Switched-On World

Have you ever replied to a late-night message just to keep the peace or taken a call on your day off because you felt you had to? In today’s solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, Andy Baker explores the toll of being “always on” — and why saying no might just be the most powerful act of self-care.
From WhatsApp work groups to 24/7 notifications, our phones are blurring the line between support and burnout. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer, this episode gives you practical strategies to set boundaries, reclaim your downtime, and build a culture that respects rest.
💡 Sponsor Shoutout: Carers Card UK
This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one carers card providing support, recognition and exclusive discounts.
Whether you're a paid or unpaid carer, enjoy:
Discounts on gyms, days out, clothing, glasses & more
A wellbeing hub and Carers Circle community app
An emergency ID card you can carry with pride
👉 Order yours today: carerscarduk.co.uk/promocode/abletocare
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke
www.ablehub.uk – free wellbeing tools & resources for caregivers
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
✅ Key Takeaways
Digital boundaries aren’t optional — they’re essential. Constant availability chips away at wellbeing, empathy, and connection.
Model what you expect. Children, teams, and peers follow what they see, not what they’re told.
Unplug with purpose. Creating tech-free zones and curfews helps rebuild clarity, peace and presence.
⏳ Timestamps (Episode Chapters)
[00:00] – Welcome: The danger of being “always on”
[01:00] – Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK
[01:56] – Digital Boundaries: Why this matters now more than ever
[03:30] – How tech affects your stress, dopamine and burnout
[05:00] – Examples from schools, care homes, and parenting
[06:17] – The emotional toll: Empathy, guilt and over-identification
[07:00] – 6 Practical tips to reclaim your peace
[08:42] – Boundaries at home and work: Lead by example
[09:10] – One small step to start today
[09:34] – Final thoughts: Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you’re a teacher checking emails at bedtime, a carer replying to shift rotas on your day off, or a parent glued to notifications while trying to be present — this episode is for you. Andy shares relatable stories and actionable strategies to help you protect your time, mental health and relationships. Let’s normalise rest in a world that never stops.
🔗 Connect with Us
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
🙌 This is a free resource.
Please share with colleagues, friends, or family who may be struggling to set digital boundaries.
👉 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review on Podbean or your favourite podcast platform!

Creating Trauma-Responsive Schools: Why Every Child Needs to Belong

In this powerful episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker is joined by Roger Mitchell, long-standing headteacher at Ripple Primary School in Barking and Dagenham — a pioneering Emotionally Available School where inclusion and belonging aren't just buzzwords, but lived values.
Together, they explore how schools can go beyond behaviour management, focusing instead on trauma-responsive education that meets children where they are. Whether you're a parent, teacher, carer or education leader, this conversation offers practical insight into why behaviour is communication — and how empathy, structure and trust are the foundations for learning.
💡 This Episode Is Sponsored By Carers Card UK
This episode is proudly supported by Carers Card UK — the UK’s number one carers card offering real benefits to both paid and unpaid carers.
Get discounts on gyms, days out, tech, clothing and more. Access a wellbeing hub, an emergency ID card, and a strong support network — all for less than the price of a box of chocolates per year.  🎟️ Order your card today➡ 
📚 Resources & Mentions
Nurture UK
The Able Hub: www.ablehub.uk tools and training for carers, parents and educators
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
✅ Key Takeaways
“If you lose a child from their school, you lose the child.”Schools must be places of belonging and safety — especially for children impacted by trauma.
Inclusion is not policy, it’s practice.Behaviour is communication. Trauma-informed schools look beyond the action to understand the need behind it.
Being Emotionally Available is a responsibility.Every adult working with children must build relational safety to help learners feel seen, heard, and supported.
⏳ Chapters & Timestamps
[00:00] – Introduction: Reframing school culture[02:45] – Meet Roger Mitchell and Ripple Primary’s ethos[06:22] – What “Emotionally Available Schools” really mean[09:05] – How behaviour signals trauma and distress[13:10] – Why consistency and connection matter more than control[17:34] – The importance of staff training in attachment and ACEs[21:50] – Being present, being patient, and rebuilding trust[25:12] – Moving from trauma-informed to trauma-responsive[29:08] – Final reflections: Creating schools where everyone belongs
🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?
This isn’t just an education episode — it’s a wake-up call for every adult supporting children. You’ll walk away understanding:
Why “naughty” behaviour might be fear in disguise
How trauma affects learning and behaviour
What emotionally available adults can do to build trust and connection
Whether you're in the classroom, at home, or working in social care — this episode will reshape how you see and support children.
🌐 Connect with Us
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
🆓 This is a free resource
Created to support carers, parents, and teachers across the UK. Share it widely and help build a more compassionate world for those who care — and those they care for.
If this episode moved you, helped you, or taught you something new:✅ Subscribe🔁 Share it with a colleague or fellow carer💬 Leave a comment or review on Podbean
Let’s keep the conversation going. Because every child deserves to belong.

From Crying Babies to Angry Adults: Why We Judge Instead of Help

In this powerful solo episode of the Able to Care podcast, Andy Baker challenges the way society responds to behaviour across ages. Why do we offer compassion to crying babies but demand self-control from teens, adults, and elders in distress?
Drawing on attachment theory, trauma, neurodiversity, and polyvagal theory, Andy explores how the instincts we have for infants could (and should) shape how we support older children and adults. This is a free, thought-provoking resource for parents, teachers, and carers looking to better understand behaviour, promote emotional safety, and respond with empathy instead of judgement.
🎁 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK, the UK’s leading discount and support platform for carers.Started by two best friends on a mission to value carers more, Carers Card UK offers:
Discounts on everyday purchases, days out, gyms and more
An ID card with emergency info
A wellbeing hub and community appAll for less than a box of chocolates per year. 🎟️ Order your card today
📚 Resources Mentioned
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
More resources at: www.andybaker.xyz
🔑 Key Takeaways
Behaviour is communication, not manipulation.Whether it’s a baby crying or an adult shouting, it’s a signal – not a moral failing.
Use regulation before reasoning.Emotional states need soothing before language or logic can be effective.
Ask better questions.Shift from “Why are they doing this?” to “What need might they be trying to express?”
⏱️ Chapter Breakdown
00:00 - The crying baby analogy that changes everything
00:48 - Sponsor: Carers Card UK
01:56 - Why this approach matters in behaviour training and care
02:19 - Babies = compassion. Adults = control?
03:05 - Reframing tantrums, shutdowns, and aggression
04:25 - Attachment theory, trauma, and the brain
05:58 - Real-world examples: school, care homes, and beyond
07:02 - Expectations vs. actual ability
08:07 - Knowing better isn’t the same as being able to do better
08:47 - Rethinking “attention seeking” and “manipulation”
09:27 - What if they were two years old? Try that lens
10:03 - Calm first, logic later
10:49 - Create space for emotion; model empathy
11:24 - A reflection challenge: how do your expectations shape your reactions?
12:04 - Closing thoughts: honouring the humanity behind behaviour
💡 Why Listen to This Episode?
Whether you're raising children, teaching pupils, or supporting vulnerable adults, this episode invites you to rethink your response to distress. If you’ve ever wondered why someone’s reaction feels "too much", this will shift your lens from judgement to compassionate curiosity.
You’ll leave with a simple but powerful framework to approach behaviour not as something to “fix”, but as something to understand – because what we call difficult behaviour is often a difficult experience in disguise.
Stay Connected
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
✅ This is a free resource
Designed to support all those who care – paid or unpaid, in schools, homes or workplaces.
📣 Call to Action
Enjoyed this episode? Please consider:✔️ Subscribing to the podcast🔁 Sharing it with someone who supports others💬 Leaving a comment or review on Podbean
Let’s rewrite the rulebook together – one episode at a time.

Vapes & Spice: The Hidden Addiction Crisis - with Alison Armstrong

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of the Able to Care Podcast, I’m joined by Alison Armstrong - a leading voice in drug education, prevention and community training - to unpack the shocking rise of two substances changing the landscape of youth and adult addiction: vapes and spice.
We explore how synthetic cannabinoids are being misrepresented and misused, why vaping is becoming more dangerous than smoking, and how caregivers, teachers and parents can better respond to these emerging risks.
This is not just a conversation about drugs - it’s a vital discussion about prevention, societal responsibility, and how we create environments where healthier choices are the easier ones.
💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
The Able to Care Podcast is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one discount and recognition card for paid and unpaid carers.
For less than the price of a box of chocolates a year, you get:
Discounts on food, clothing, days out and more
A wellbeing hub and Carers Circle tool
An ID card that provides emergency support
Access to a caring and growing community
👉 Claim yours now using our exclusive promo link:  🎟️ Order your card today
📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
AbleHub.uk – Free & low-cost resources for carers and educators
🔑 3 Key Messages from This Episode:
Spice is not cannabis - it's a highly potent synthetic compound often misrepresented, lacking the natural balance that protects the heart and mind.
Vaping isn’t safer - it’s increasing nicotine consumption, making addiction easier, especially among children and young people.
Prevention is powerful - models like Planet Youth prove that long-term investment in young people’s environments can change the future of substance misuse.
🕰️ Chapter Timestamps:
00:00 - Sponsor: Carers Card UK01:48 - What this episode covers: Vapes, spice and the risks02:30 - Meet Alison Armstrong04:00 - Understanding cannabis: THC vs CBD08:00 - What is spice and why is it dangerous?12:00 - Spice vs cannabis dependency17:00 - Vaping’s impact on drug use and addiction22:00 - Regulation and the ban on single-use vapes27:00 - Vaping as a delivery method for other substances33:00 - Planet Youth: Iceland's revolutionary prevention model38:00 - Addiction, dopamine and adolescent brain development42:00 - Prediction error and why teens seek high-reward experiences45:00 - Why we need a long-term national prevention strategy
🎧 Why Listen to This Episode?
Whether you’re a parent, carer, teacher or professional working with young people, this conversation is a must-hear. You’ll come away with:
A clear understanding of the real dangers of spice and vaping
Practical knowledge on how to spot signs and start better conversations
Hopeful insight into what works – and what we can all do to be part of the solution
📲 Follow & Connect
Let’s keep the conversation going – join us on social media:
📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining📲 LinkedIn: Able Training📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk
 
🎙️ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review – it really helps us reach more carers and changemakers like you.

Beyond Judgement: How to See the Person, Not Just the Behaviour

Have you ever caught yourself thinking “What is wrong with them?” when you see challenging behaviour? Whether it’s a teenager shouting in public, a colleague snapping, or a parent glued to their phone while their child cries — we all judge. But what does this habit cost us, and what could happen if we replaced judgment with genuine curiosity? In this solo episode, Andy Baker explores how a trauma-informed, curiosity-driven approach can transform our practice as parents, teachers, and carers.
👉 Learn how stereotypes, confirmation bias, and fundamental attribution errors get in the way of understanding.👉 Discover why being a better detective rather than a judge helps build trust, empathy, and change.👉 Walk away with practical tools to rethink the narratives you carry about others — and even about yourself.
🎙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK
We’re proud to have this episode sponsored by Carers Card UK — the UK’s leading Carers Card.
Carers Card UK was founded by two best friends who recognised that carers deserve better. The card offers:✅ Discounts on gym memberships, days out, electricals, clothing and more✅ Emergency ID and access to vital information✅ A wellbeing hub and community through the app✅ All for less than the cost of a box of chocolates a year!
👉  Order your card today
📚 Resources Mentioned
Carers Card UK
Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge
🔑 Three Key Messages
1️⃣ Judgment is a human survival mechanism — but in caregiving, it can become harmful if left unchecked.2️⃣ Curiosity and trauma-informed thinking help us see the person rather than the behaviour.3️⃣ Changing the words and labels we use can build empathy, trust, and genuine connection.
⏰ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction: Why this episode might feel uncomfortable01:44 – Why we judge: the social psychology of stereotypes04:00 – The costs of labelling and missing the full story06:00 – Fundamental Attribution Error and confirmation bias explained08:48 – Halo/Horn effects & dehumanisation in care and education11:00 – Real-life examples of misunderstood behaviour12:30 – Moving from “what’s wrong with them?” to “what happened to them?”13:45 – Practical reframes and curiosity-driven language14:52 – Reflection: Who have you written off — and what might change if you got curious?
💡 Why Listen to This Episode?
If you are a carer, teacher, parent, or anyone supporting others, this episode will help you challenge automatic judgments and rethink your approach to behaviour. You’ll gain practical, real-world strategies to build empathy, encourage growth, and connect with others on a deeper level.
🔗 Connect With Us
👉 Instagram: @AbleTraining👉 LinkedIn: Able Training👉 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast👉 Website: AbleHub.uk