Fostering in Wales: Changing Lives

Fostering gives vulnerable children and young people in Wales a safe and supportive home when they can’t live with their birth families. Become a foster carer and change these children’s lives for the better, give them stability and a brighter future. This guide explains the fostering process, why we need foster carers and the different types of fostering.

What is Fostering?

Fostering is looking after foster children and young people who can’t live with their birth families for various reasons including family breakdown, neglect or illness. Foster carers provide short or long term care depending on the child’s needs and play a vital role in giving emotional and physical support. Foster families are the backbone of providing the nurturing environment these children and young people need. Further information can be found on st David’s Fostering website.

Why We Need Foster Carers in Wales

The demand for foster carers in Wales is growing as more children come into care every year. Fostering agencies and local authority fostering services are looking for individuals and families who can provide a loving and stable home. Single, married or in a same-sex relationship, people from all backgrounds are welcome to apply.

St. David’s Fostering Service say that fostering agencies and local authority fostering services in Wales are always looking for foster families to meet the increasing demand. It’s a chance to change children and young people’s lives for the better.

Types of Fostering

Different types of fostering placements suit different foster children. Here are some of the types of foster care in Wales:

1. Short-Term Fostering
   Temporary care while decisions are made about the child’s long term future, such as whether they will return to their birth family or move into a more permanent placement.
2. Long-Term Fostering
   For children who can’t return to their birth families and will be in care until they are adults.
3. Respite Fostering
   Short term care to give other foster carers or families a break, usually for a few days or weeks.
4. Emergency Fostering
   Immediate care for children in crisis situations, usually for a few days to weeks.
5. Parent and Child Fostering
   Supports both the parent and their child, helping the parent to develop parenting skills to keep the family together.

Who Can Foster in Wales?

Foster carers come from all backgrounds but there are certain requirements:

• Age: You must be at least 21 years old.
• Accommodation: You need a spare room to provide the young person or child with their own space.
• Health: Foster carers need to be physically and mentally well to meet the demands of fostering.
• Time: Fostering requires a big time commitment including attending meetings and supporting the child’s needs.

Fostering in Wales is open to singles, couples and those with or without children of their own. The main requirement is to be able to offer a stable loving home.

The Fostering Process in Wales

Becoming a foster carer in Wales involves the following steps:

1. Initial Enquiry
   Contact a fostering agency or local authority to express your interest. They will provide information and check if you meet the basic requirements.
2. Home Visit
   A social worker will visit your home to check it’s suitable for fostering and talk to you about your motivations.
3. Application
   A formal application includes background checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, to ensure the child’s safety.
4. Fostering Assessment
   The assessment involves multiple meetings with a social worker to assess you. They will also speak to your family and friends.
5. Training
   You’ll need to attend training sessions on child development, trauma, safeguarding and working with birth families.
6. Approval
   After the assessment a fostering panel will review your application to decide if you are approved to become a foster carer.
7. Matching
   Once approved the agency or local authority will match you with a young person or child in care, taking into account your experience and preferences.

Support for Foster Carers in Wales

Fostering can be tough and amazing. To support foster carers agencies and local authorities in Wales offer:

• Financial Support: Foster parents receive an allowance to cover the costs of caring for the young person including food, clothes and activities.
• Ongoing Training: Regular training opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.
• Support Groups: A chance to meet other foster carers to share experiences.
• Dedicated Social Worker: Every foster family has a social worker for ongoing support.

The Benefits of Fostering

Fostering gives you the opportunity to have a big impact on the lives of children and young people. The role is tough but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Seeing a young person grow and flourish in a safe and loving environment is amazing.

Fostering also helps you grow as a person, you develop new skills and build relationships with the children you care for. It’s a way to give back to your community and change lives.

Summary

Fostering in Wales is a vital service that gives children safety, care and hope for the future. Whether you’re interested in short term or long term fostering the opportunity to change a child’s life is within your grasp. By offering a stable home you can make a lasting difference to their future.

If you think you have the compassion, commitment and time to foster now is the time to start the process. Fostering isn’t just about care it’s about giving a child a stable and loving home.