‘A happy and safe life, just like I dreamed about.’

‘A happy and safe life, just like I dreamed about.’

As Welsh Government moves ahead with plans to remove profit from the care of looked-after children, Foster Wales 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 – 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.

 

Alastair Cope, Head of Foster Wales said:

“These changes represent a huge opportunity to make a long-lasting, positive change to social care provision in Wales – benefiting looked-after young people today and in the future. Foster carers are key to making this change a success as their experience and expertise is crucial.

“Local authority foster care offers many benefits, including support from a locally based expert team, extensive learning and development opportunities, a generous allowance to support you in the care of the child placed with you, and a ready-made community of other carers nearby.

 “Most importantly, it helps young people stay in their local community. We know that when children stay connected, stay local, and have someone to stick by them for the long term, we see better outcomes.

“As the need for foster carers continues to grow, we need our community in Wales to step forward. At Foster Wales, we are working together to make a national impact, making foster care in Wales the very best it can be for our young people, by listening to those who care for them.

 “We’re encouraging all those with an interest in caring for children, or those currently fostering with a for-profit organisation, to make an enquiry today, and be part of this positive change to create better futures for local foster children in Wales.”

 

Foster carer Jo made the switch from an independent fostering agency to Foster Wales Conwy earlier this year. She explained her journey – and the difference she’s seen when fostering with the local authority:

 

“Shortly after I turned forty, I began fostering teenagers through an agency. A lot of the young people came from outside the area. This put them on the back foot. They lost contact with their friends, the places they knew, their roots.

“Now that I foster with a local authority, the young people stay local. This means they stay connected to their roots which helps them feel secure, and it’s more natural for visits, access and family time.”

 

79% of children cared for by private fostering agencies in Wales 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.

 

Tayler was fostered by her local authority in Carmarthenshire, she explained:

“I wasn’t aware that some private businesses make a profit from care. That makes me feel like vulnerable children aren’t the priority, the money is. I recently graduated from university. The local authority helped me with this process and now I am living a happy and safe life, just like my younger self dreamed about.”

 

Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan said:

“Wales is leading the way with its plans to eliminate profit from the care of looked-after children and we’re proud to be making this a priority to help create better outcomes for children.

“Local authority fostering ensures that the needs of the child and the carer are fully met so that a child feels completely supported and is able to thrive in their local community.”

For more information about fostering, and how to transfer, visit: https://fosterwales.gov.wales/already-fostering/