“Foster Wales Merthyr values and looks after it’s carers and children, they put them first”

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

Joanne Llewellyn, Head of Children’s Services Merthyr Tydfil said:
“It is my belief that Wales is leading the way in developing not-for-profit care for children looked after. This policy offers a huge opportunity to make a long-lasting, positive change to the care of young people in Wales.  

Here at Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil, we are looking at how our services are benefitting looked-after children and young people today, and in the future.

By fostering with your local authority, and not for profit, you will receive ongoing support, continuous training opportunities, as well as being part of our wonderful fostering community here in Merthyr. 

Crucially, by fostering with your local authority, you’re giving young people a chance to stay near their families, friends, support networks and schools. Staying local makes such a difference in their lives.

At Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil we are always on the lookout for kind, committed people that would like to know more about fostering. Our local communities are key to making this change happen; enquire today with Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil.”

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 carers Ron and Jacquie, who made the switch from an independent agency to Foster Wales Merthyr, explained their journey – and the difference they’ve seen when fostering with the local authority:
“We were almost three years into our fostering careers and realised we felt like we were a disposable commodity, because we were prepared to fight the corner for a child in our long-term care. We decided to approach Merthyr Tydfil local authority in the hope we would be able to continue looking after her.

We were relieved and delighted that our local authority agreed with us, and we became Foster Wales Merthyr foster carers! We have never looked back. We are delighted to say that the child went on successfully to independent living after nine years in our care, and thanks to Merthyr Tydfil local authority.

The advantages of joining Foster Wales Merthyr were overwhelmingly a sincere family feel, both among and with the authority’s social workers. They have a desire to help us succeed by encouraging us to embrace and lean on thriving support groups. Foster Wales Merthyr values and looks after it’s carers and children, they put them first.”

For more information about fostering, and how to transfer, visit:

www.merthyrtydfil.fosterwales.gov.wales/already-fostering/
enquiries@fosterwalesctm.co.uk