Gwent foster carers needed by Foster Wales

Foster Wales have launched a campaign aimed at increasing the amount foster carers in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Balenau Gwent so children can be housed locally.

The bilingual campaign hopes to persuade the 39 per cent of Welsh people who have considered becoming a foster carer.

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Tanya Evans, lead head of children’s services for Foster Wales in Gwent, said: "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.

"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.”  

Around 550 carers are needed across Wales every year.

Ensuring that children can be housed locally is of huge importance, as keeping connected with their friends, their school and their sense of identity, builds confidence and reduces stress.

Carers can also benefit from helping somebody who may have come from a difficult background flourish under their care and go on to succeed.

Gwent foster carer Jane Donovan said: "I've got two children of my own and two grandchildren and another one on the way.

"To be in my fifties and having another child is amazing for a start. 

"To see them go from somebody that was quite shut down to now be somebody that can actually hold a conversation and do well in school, it's amazing."

Ms Donovan is a single carer and proves that foster carers that 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, many can become successful foster carers.

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Foster Wales was launched in July this year and links the 22 non-profit local authority fostering teams across Wales.

At the launch of Foster Wales, 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."

The campaign starts today and will be on TV, radio, Spotify and digital platforms.

To find out more about how to become a foster carer in Wales, visit the Foster Wales website.