Podcast by The Professional Deputies Forum
The PDF CoPCast
The PDF CoPcast, an informal podcast with discussions where all things Court of Protection will be covered, including special guests and deputy dilemmas.
The PDF CoPCast
Latest episodes
21 September 2026
PDF Conference 2026 Review
A review of the PDF Conference 2026 with Oliver Banks, Stephanie Kaye, Leanne Gibson, Charlotte Fletcher and Joanne Friend.
00:00
38:51
20 August 2026
Bundles, Bills and Backlogs: Inside Court of Protection Costs
This episode walks through the main cost changes affecting Court of Protection practitioners in 2026. Stephanie Kaye and Ellie Baker are joined by cost expert Paul Cruikshanks.
00:00
39:06
06 August 2026
Burnout: Practical Boundaries for COP Practitioners
This episode explores how professionals who work with traumatised or difficult clients can recognise and prevent burnout. Daniel Thomas, founder of Chroma and music therapist, explains how everyone carries cumulative life stress, why juniors often face heavy emotional labour, how post-COVID remote working heightens isolation and offers pragmatic strategies. The discussion normalises emotional responses and reframes resilience as a skill supported by structural and personal practices, not a moral failing.
00:00
40:25
25 June 2026
Navigating Investment Shifts: From Past Practices to Present Innovations
In this podcast episode, we delve into the evolution of court protection client investments. Robin Bailey, an independent financial advisor, shares insights on how investment strategies have shifted from pre-Mental Capacity Act (MCA) days to the current landscape. The discussion highlights the roles of financial advisors and investment managers, contrasting historical prescriptive approaches with today’s more tailored solutions. Emphasis is placed on the significance of the MCA and how it reshaped the decision-making framework, allowing deputies more autonomy and collaboration with financial specialists to construct robust, personalised financial plans for clients lacking capacity.
00:00
41:04
09 October 2025
Inside the Annual Conference: Insights and Highlights
During the recent annual conference, a range of topics was covered, including transitioning young clients into adulthood and the role of deputies in ensuring effective planning. Feedback highlighted the variety and quality of sessions, particularly the engaging panel on litigation. Discussions emphasized the importance of early collaboration between litigation and deputy teams to ensure settlements align with the Court of Protection's standards. Practical sessions, like the one with Carrie Stoneham on family law, offered crucial insights into how legal proceedings can affect protected parties, particularly in terms of financial settlements and prenups. Overall, the conference was praised for its content and record attendance.
00:00
43:32
30 July 2025
Mastering Team Management: Insights from the PDF COPCast Team
In this episode of the the PDF COPCast, committee members Oliver, Jemma, and Martin delve into the intricacies of managing corporate protection teams. They share their experiences, highlighting the challenges and strategies in building successful teams from scratch. Jemma discusses the importance of strategic recruitment and maintaining team culture, especially during expansion across multiple sites. Oliver and Martin provide insights into inheriting existing teams and establishing efficient processes through quick wins. The conversation also touches on the significance of emotional connections and trust in fostering team cohesion, offering listeners valuable advice on managing growth and adapting to change.
00:00
41:23