"We have seen first-hand how important it is to young people looked after to remain close to their home, school and social networks."
14 August 2023
Foster Wales Powys - 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.
Cllr Sandra Davies, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for Future Generations says: "Foster Caring for the local council offers many benefits - from support and training to a sense of community, but most importantly, the option for young people to stay local in our county.
"If you would like to find out more about Fostering with the council, please get in touch with us for an informal chat."
Foster carers Emma and Dan, who made the switch from an independent agency to Foster Wales Powys, explain the difference they've seen when fostering with the local council.
Emma and Dan, Foster carers in Powys said: "We started fostering through an agency but moved to Local Authority fostering a couple of years ago. It was our intention to focus our efforts working for a service, instead of a business, which is how our agency started to feel for us.
"It was important for us to feel a stronger sense of togetherness, working alongside our own local authority within our own community.
"In our role as foster carers, we have seen first-hand how important it is to young people looked after to remain close to their home, school and social networks.
"Local councils need foster carers to achieve this and we hoped to be part of that solution, to be part of a wider team and service that fosters a sense of family and community.
"After 10 years as foster carers we are as passionate as ever, we continue to be fierce advocates for children and young people and find new ways every day to feel encouraged, motivated and deeply fulfilled."
Foster Wales Powys is encouraging more people like Emma and Dan to open up their homes to help build better futures for local children in need.
For more information about fostering, and how to transfer to Foster Wales Powys if you already foster contact us:
Web: https://powys.fosterwales.gov.wales/
Call: 0800 22 30 627
Email: fostering@powys.gov.uk