As Welsh Government moves ahead with plans to remove profit from the care of looked-after children, Foster Wales Blaenau Gwent highlights the benefits of fostering with a local authority.
Wales is in the process of a whole system change for children’s services.
The changes proposed in the 2021 co-operation agreement between Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru prioritise services that are locally based, locally designed, and locally accountable.
Within these plans there is a clear commitment to ‘eliminate private profit from the care of looked after children.’ This means, by 2027, care of children that are looked after in Wales will be provided by public sector, charitable or not-for-profit organisations.
In light of these changes, Foster Wales Blaenau Gwent – which is part of the network representing Wales’ 22 local authorities - are calling for more people to become local authority foster carers and encouraging those currently fostering with a for-profit agency to transfer over to their local authority team.
Cllr Hayden Trollope (Cabinet member for Social Services Blaenau Gwent) said, ‘’These changes encourage positive direction for the future of fostering locally, which allows young people to remain within their local community where they have made lasting friendships and can stay connected to who they are as an individual.
‘’Foster carers are essential to creating this successful change. All those interested in caring for the young people of Blaenau Gwent, enquire today.’’
In Wales, 79% of children cared for by private fostering agencies are fostered outside their local area, and 6% are moved out of Wales entirely. Meanwhile, 84% of those living with local authority foster carers stay within their own local area, close to home, to school, to family and friends.
Foster Carer Jane, who has been fostering for over 15 years with Foster Wales Blaenau Gwent, shared her story and expressed the benefits from fostering within the local authority:
‘’I always knew I wanted to help local young people who relied on the care system. It’s hard enough for a young person to be brought into the care system initially, and even harder when they must adapt to a new life, different location, with no familiarities.
‘’Fostering has been rewarding, unforgettable and brings the whole community together. I would recommend anyone looking to foster, to enquire with your local authority. Children can be kept in their hometown, maintain lasting relationships and access recognised services. It has been incredible to watch local services of the community going above and beyond for my foster children throughout the years.’’
For more information about fostering, and how to transfer, visit: fostering@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk | https://fosterwales.gov.wales/already-fostering/