Fostering in Wales
Wales has more children in foster care than any other part of the UK as a proportion of children looked-after. There are nearly 1,900 fostering households in Wales, looking after over 3,000 children. All 22 local authorities have fostering services and there are a number of independent providers too.
The Welsh Assembly Government is responsible for fostering in Wales, although primary legislation is still made in the Westminster parliament.
The Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) is part of the Welsh Assembly Government and inspects and registers fostering under the Care Standards Act.
Who can I foster for in Wales?
The work of the Fostering Network
Our members include most individual foster carers in Wales, all the local authorities and all the major independent fostering providers. Our work includes:
- working with the Welsh Assembly Government to shape foster care policy
- meeting with groups of carers and social work staff across Wales, for example as part of the fostering connections project
- providing independent advice and support to foster carers, see Fosterline Wales
- consultation
- training
- research
- facilitating forums of stakeholder groups
- producing a newsletter for Welsh members
- developing the support care service in Wales
- supporting Foster Care Fortnight in Wales
Based in Cardiff, the Fostering Network Wales has a small staff and a pool of freelancers who work with us across Wales. We aim to offer a bilingual service whenever possible.
A Wales committee offers information, support and advice to the Fostering Network Wales.
