This campaign by ‘Foster Wales’, the new national network of 22 Local Authority fostering services across the country, aims to make a substantial impact on the futures of children and young people who are fostered across Wales, including within the Gwent region which encompasses Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen.
With over a third (39%) of Welsh adults saying they have already considered becoming a foster carer, a new campaign launches across Wales today, aimed at significantly increasing the number and diversity of Local Authority foster carers.
Throughout Gwent every child in need of a foster carer is in the care of their Local Authority. The new bilingual advertising push aims to increase the number of foster parents needed within Gwent to help keep children local, which can mean the world to a child.
By helping children to stay within their local community wherever possible, we are able to keep them connected with their friends, their school and their sense of identity, which not only builds confidence but also reduces stress.
Tanya Evans, Lead Head of Children’s Services for Foster Wales in Gwent, says, “Becoming a foster carer is a commitment to help local children who need someone to listen to them. To believe in them. Children who need someone on their side, someone to care for them. It’s a choice to work with people who share that same commitment, people like your Local Authority fostering teams here in Gwent.”
There is still a need to recruit an estimated 550 new foster carers and families across Wales every year. This is to keep up with the numbers of children who need care and support, while replacing carers who retire or provide a permanent home to children.
Launching Foster Wales in July, Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan MS, said: “I know from listening to foster carers just how rewarding fostering can be. This new initiative will benefit looked after children and allow Local Authority fostering and recruitment teams across Wales to think bigger, creating a national impact without losing their advantage of specific local expertise.”
“This government is committed to reducing the number of children in care, giving care experienced children better outcomes, and importantly eliminating the profit element of children in care. Foster Wales is part of achieving this promise and will better enable children to stay in their community and meet the evolving needs of foster children and the people who foster them.”
While no two children are the same, neither is the foster care they need. There is no ‘typical’ foster family. Whether somebody owns their own home or rents, whether they’re married or single. Whatever their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or faith, there are young people who need someone on their side.
Tanya Evans adds “Anyone who fosters with their Local Authority Foster Wales team does so safe in the knowledge that wherever their fostering future takes them, we will be beside them every step of the way, with all the local, dedicated expertise, advice and support needed for their fostering journey.”
All children have a right to thrive. All we need is more people like you to open their doors and welcome them in.”
The new campaign by Foster Wales will span TV, radio, Spotify and digital platforms.
To find out more about Local Authority fostering in Gwent, visit Fostering in Wales | Foster Wales (gov.wales) and click on your local authority.