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Foster Wales Caerphilly highlights the benefits of fostering with a local authority

Posted on : 18 Aug 2023

As Welsh Government moves ahead with plans to remove profit from the care of looked-after children,
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 Caerphilly – 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. Elaine Forehead, cabinet member for social services, said: “These changes are hugely encouraging and a positive step forward for looked-after young people in Wales.

"Fostering with your local authority has so many benefits including the huge amount of support and training you get! Most importantly it allows the option for young people to stay local.

"Foster carers change the lives of looked-after children every day and we are so proud of the work they do. If you would like to learn more about fostering with your local authority, get in touch with our friendly fostering team.”

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 Tracey, who made the switch from an independent agency to Foster Wales Caerphilly, explained her story – and the difference she’s seen when fostering with the local authority: “When I began fostering with an agency, I was fostering older children who lived outside of the area. I found that the young people struggled hugely being so far away from their community, they would often have to wake up incredibly early to go to school and they felt alienated from their friends.

"Since making the change to Foster Wales Caerphilly, I haven’t looked back! It is so much easier for the children who have contact to be in their own area, it’s more natural for visits and family time. The team have been incredible and there has always been someone at the end of the phone whenever I’ve needed them.”

Click here for more information about fostering, and how to transfer to your local authority.

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