This Care Day (February 21), Foster Wales Wrexham is joining Wales’ fostering community in highlighting the benefits of local authority care as the Welsh Government’s landmark Health and Social Care Bill begins the process of removing profit from the children’s care system.
Wales is the first country in the UK to legislate to remove profit from both residential and foster care for children.
Foster Wales’ Staying Local campaign, led by care-experienced people and local authority foster carers, aims to show how the policy will support young people in care to stay connected to their local area, community, friends, and school.
Last year, 85 per cent of young people with local authority foster carers remained in their area. However, only 31 per cent of young people cared for by commercial fostering agencies stayed local, with 7 per cent being moved outside of Wales entirely.*
Foster carers, Cath and Neil, from Wrexham, began their fostering journey with an independent fostering agency in 2014. They transferred to Foster Wales Wrexham in 2019, a decision they describe as “a game-changer.”
Cath shared: “When we were with the agency, we were supporting a young person who had to travel over an hour to get to school, which made it difficult for them to maintain local connections. Since moving to Foster Wales Wrexham, the children we care for are now able to stay closer to home, and it’s made a huge difference for them, staying in touch with friends and family.”
Neil added, “What really stands out about Foster Wales is the support. The local authority’s resources and advice are invaluable. We feel more connected to a close-knit community of foster carers now, and it’s so helpful to share experiences and advice with others who are on the same journey.”
For Cath and Neil, moving to Foster Wales Wrexham has brought a stronger sense of community and a deeper connection with the children in their care.
In Wales, there are more than 7,000 children in the care system, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales has set out with the bold aim of recruiting over 800 new foster families by 2026 to provide welcoming homes for local children and young people.
Cllr Robert Walsh, Lead Member for Children & Family Services, said: “This policy ensures that public funds are kept in-house and invested where they belong, in the care and support of children and young people. By fostering directly with local authorities, we can provide the highest level of support, keeping children close to their communities, schools, and everything they know. Local fostering teams offer dedicated guidance, ensuring that every foster carer is fully supported. This is about securing better outcomes for children by strengthening the local fostering community and prioritising their stability and well-being.”
For more information about fostering, or to make an enquiry, visit:https://fosterwales.gov.wales/
