Foster Wales Monmouthshire is part of a national network of 22 Welsh Local Authority fostering services, each dedicated to offering exceptional support to foster carers. We are working to ensure all our foster carers feel valued, properly equipped and never alone in their fostering journey. As a foster carer for Foster Wales Monmouthshire you will not only have your own dedicated, qualified social worker, but access to a specialist therapeutic support services which are designed to ensure foster carers have the resources and tools they need to provide the best support to the children in their care.
Comprehensive Support for Foster Carers
Foster Wales Monmouthshire offers a comprehensive package of support which includes:
- Financial Allowances: Foster carers receive generous financial allowances to cover the cost of looking after the children in your care.
- Fostering Fees: Foster carers can be paid a fostering fee which is separate from the allowance and is intended to recognise the work of fostering. The level of fee depends on your skills and experience, and your supervising social worker will support your learning and development so you can progress and increase your fees payment.
- Training and Development: Foster Wales Monmouthshire provides foster carers with a wide range of learning opportunities. As a foster carer with us, you will have your own personal learning record and development plan so you have the training and preparation to meet the specific needs of the children in your care.
- Out of Hours Support: Foster Wales Monmouthshire provides support out of hours, ensuring they can always reach out for assistance any day of the week. Whether it’s advice, guidance, or emotional support, help is available.
- Fostering Community and Peer Support – Being a foster carer for Foster Wales Monmouthshire means being part of our fostering community. You will have a foster carer buddy you can reach out to when you need to. You will have access to our Foster Carer Pioneers who are experienced foster carers who can offer specialised support. There are peer support groups, where you will be able to connect with other foster carers to share experiences, and get support. There are also regular social events throughout the year that all the family can get involved with.
- BASE (Building Attachments, Security and Emotional Wellbeing): BASE is a psychology and therapy service available to all our foster children and children in care. They offer consultations, training and therapeutic support.
- MyST (My Support Team): MyST is a specialised team for foster carers caring for children with the most complex needs. Foster carers working with the MyST service receive specialised training and enhanced fees as well as 24/7 support from a team of therapeutic practitioners.
The Eliminate Profit Policy
Independent Fostering Agencies are run to make a profit. The Eliminate Profit Policy is a Welsh Government Campaign to stop private companies profiting from children’s care. From 2027 agencies that operate for profit will no longer be allowed to recruit foster carers and from 2030 Welsh local authorities will not be able to place children with profit making agencies. Foster Wales Monmouthshire is your local authority, not-for-profit fostering agency. We are part of Monmouthshire Children’s Services which means we work very closely with the children’s social workers and we know the children who need foster carers very well. This makes for better placement matching, better communication and better relationships.
If you foster for a for-profit agency, the process of transferring to the local authority or not-for-profit is simple and quick. We will work with you to ensure you can continue to provide excellent care without disruption whilst making sure you get all the support that you need.
Foster Carers Experiences
Foster carers who have transferred to Foster Wales Monmouthshire have shared their experiences of having had a smooth transition and excellent support throughout the process.
One foster carer shared, “The support from Foster Wales Monmouthshire has been incredible. The training and resources provided through MyST have been invaluable in helping me care for a young person with complex needs. The transition was seamless, and I felt supported every step of the way.”
Another foster carer told us how important it had been to feel part of a fostering community saying, “Being able to connect with other foster carers through the Coffee and Catch Up groups has made a world of difference. It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone and that there are others who understand the challenges and rewards of fostering.”
Conclusion
Foster Wales Monmouthshire is deeply committed to offering the highest level of support to all our foster carers. As a foster carer for Monmouthshire you will have all the training, practical, emotional, therapeutic and financial support you need to care for children and young people in need of a loving and nurturing environment.
If you are ready to start your fostering journey, if you are already fostering and interested in knowing more about what Monmouthshire can offer, or if you are just thinking about whether fostering might be right for you in the future and want to know more speak to a member of our recruitment team Contact Us | https://fosterwales.monmouthshire.gov.uk/contact-us
