Why foster with your local authority
Fostering is a really rewarding role which makes a massive difference to vulnerable children and young people. However, in Cardiff, there is a critical shortage in the number of available foster carers for the number of children that need a safe place to live. Every year hundreds of new foster families are needed across Cardiff.
Yet, many tend to wonder, why foster with your local authority or what’s the difference between fostering for your local authority compared with an independent agency?
Why foster with your local authority?
Foster Wales Cardiff is Cardiff Council’s local authority fostering service. It isn’t your standard fostering agency. We’re part of the national network of 22 not-for-profit local authority fostering services across Wales.
So how does that make us different?
Well, we have a national presence built on local expertise, with a purpose to work as a team, to build better futures for local children, not for profit.
You may have come across independent fostering agencies (IFAs) too, which are mostly profit-making businesses. There are many compelling reasons why you should foster for your local authority rather than an agency. For example …
Keeping children local
At Foster Wales Cardiff, we aim to keep children local when it’s right for them. That means that the children looked after can remain in their local community, at their current school with their friends. It also means that foster carers don’t have a long commute for the school run, or for the child to attend family time.
On the other hand, independent fostering agencies tend to be regional or even national. This means that foster carers may be expected to travel longer distances to attend meetings or provide transport to the looked after child’s home area, which may be further away.
Support
If you’re looking for reasons to become a foster carer with Cardiff Council, the excellent support system is one of them.
Each of our carers, and children in our care, has a complete local support network, so you never feel alone. This includes each having their own dedicated social worker with local expertise. They provide knowledge, support groups, social events and activities, as well as a comprehensive package of learning and development opportunities to help you on your fostering journey.
The team
The Foster Wales Cardiff team works alongside the child’s social worker. They work within the same organisation (often in the same building) and with the same management team, who make the decisions for the child.
We really get to know you. We’re not a distant corporation or a mysterious figure at the end of an email address. But part of the local community and a familiar face. Unlike independent fostering agencies, we hold legal responsibility for all our children looked after.
Join our fostering community!
Choosing Foster Wales Cardiff is choosing to work with people who care. People who are trained and dedicated. Real people who live where you do and understand the realities of life in your community.
Why not chat to one of our team today and take the first step in your fostering journey.
