types of fostering
There are many ways to make a difference. Fostering can mean a day, a week, a year or maybe more.
explore your options
fostering in wales
We believe in working together, sharing knowledge and building better futures for children – together.
We’re Foster Wales, the national network of 22 Welsh Local Authority fostering services.
not for profit
local authority fostering
Foster carers in Blaenau Gwent, Gwynedd and RCT share how transferring to their local authority gave them an important local fostering community on their doorstep.
who can foster?
No two children are the same, and neither is the foster care they need.
can I foster?
already fostering
If you’re not fostering with a Local Authority, then transferring to us is easier than you think.
transfer to usfind your local foster wales team
As the national network of Local Authority fostering services across Wales, we're by your side wherever you are. Enter your postcode to find your local foster care team.
Your nearest local authority is:
why choose us?
It’s about making a real difference, right now, to children in the heart of your community. It’s the decision to give something back.
To help you work with us to build better futures for local children, we provide expert training, dedicated support and financial allowances.
local fostering community
There’s a community of foster carers, in your local area, here for you.
benefits of fostering direct
By fostering direct with your local authority, you’ll be part of a team with a depth of insight and knowledge about the child’s journey, local services and schools that is invaluable to foster carers.
not for profit
When you foster with the local authority, we talk about the children first, not money. You’ll still receive financial support, and lots of useful discounts and offers.
flexible fostering options
We’re the first port of call for all local children who need foster care – children of all ages.
staying local
Everything we do is local, meaning that 84% of our children were able to stay in their local area, and stay in their local school.
common questions
how do you become a foster carer?
It all starts with this. A message. An email. A phone call. Foster Wales is the national network of Local Authority fostering teams across Wales. We’re not a distant organisation that doesn’t understand your world, we’re a collection of dedicated experts from your community. So, if you’re asking how to get into foster care, the answer is simple. <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/your-local-authority/">Get in touch with your local Foster Wales team</a> and we’ll guide you every step of the way. <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/online-fostering-information-event/">Join our online fostering information sessions</a> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">next steps</h4> Once you take that first important step, we’ll guide you through the rest of the process. At the start, it’s all about getting to know you. <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/your-foster-wales-journey-2022.pdf">Download your foster wales journey</a>
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will I be paid as a foster carer?
Money might not be the first thing you consider with fostering, but it’s an important question to ask us. It’s part of how we support you to provide the best possible care for our children. <h4 class="wp-block-heading">allowances</h4> You’ll receive an allowance for every foster child in your care, and as a foster parent you’ll also receive an allowance too. It’s about taking care of the everyday, as well as helping create more special memories. <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/guide-to-foster-carer-pay/">Guide to foster carer pay</a> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">other support</h4> There are other benefits besides financial support which will enrich your fostering journey. We look at the full picture: emotional support, learning opportunities and expert guidance too. It’s not just our time and expertise we give. As a not-for-profit, all our funding goes towards supporting the children in our care and making the foster experience the best it can be. That means 360-degree support. We’re here for you, in any way you need us. Take a look at your <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/your-local-authority/">Local Authority’s</a> support and rewards to find out exactly what fostering with Foster Wales could mean for you.
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who needs fostering?
There’s no typical foster child. There’s no typical foster family, either. Each child in our care has their own passions and personality. They’ve come from a unique set of circumstances, which have shaped their lives so far. We’re here to make sure their futures are different. Brighter. <h4 class="wp-block-heading">our foster children</h4> From <a href="https://denbighshire.fosterwales.gov.wales/en/blog/can-i-foster-babies.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">babies</a> to <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/what-are-teens-in-care-really-like/">teenagers</a>, from brothers and sisters to <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/types-of-fostering-mother-and-baby/">young mums and dads</a>, there are children across Wales right now who need that chance. That opportunity, to step onto a new path. That’s where foster carers can help. Every foster family is different. Some welcome siblings together, others care for teenagers, and there are also foster parents who specialise in caring for children with unique needs. All sorts of children need foster care. Our role is to support each one. To find the family that’s right for them. <h5 class="wp-block-heading">siblings</h5> We believe in staying local, and staying together. Maintaining sibling bonds is important to children, so it’s important to us too, and that’s why matching siblings with a foster family, together, is a priority. Building better futures is often about making the most of the important bonds that already exist, as well as forging new ones. <h5 class="wp-block-heading">teenagers</h5> Caring for a teenager means listening, understanding, helping to make sense of the world – and their place in it. It’s about providing stability and security, from childhood and on towards adulthood. <a href="https://fosterwales.gov.wales/fostering-statistics-wales/">Fostering statistics in Wales</a>
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your local authority
Explore the 22 Local Authorities that make up the Foster Wales network.
find your local team