A nationwide campaign to encourage more people to become foster carers is being supported in the Vale.
In January, Foster Wales set a target to recruit an extra 800 foster families nationwide by 2026.
The national network, comprising of staff at all 22 local authorities, says the need for more fosters is increasingly pressing with over 7,000 young people in care across Wales.
According to Vale Council, 53 more foster carers are needed to provide "safe, stable and nurturing" homes for children.
The Vale of Glamorgan branch of Foster Wales joined the "Bring Something to the Table" campaign to share realistic experiences from the fostering community to respond to common barriers to enquiries.
Some of these include a lack of confidence, misconceptions around criteria, and a belief that that fostering doesn't fit with certain lifestyles.
A recent YouGov survey found only 44% respondents said social work was well-respected and nearly two fifths (39%) of adults polled felt social work practitioners "often got things wrong." - while only 11% of social workers currently believe social work is well-respected.
The latest phase of the Foster Wales campaign focuses on the role of social workers and the 'support bubble' that exists around foster carers, to provide information, confidence and motivation to potential carers.
Laura, a supervising social worker with nine years of experience, said: "It takes a village to raise a child. Without a strong support system, fostering can feel isolating."
"That’s why we provide regular supervision meetings, support groups, and foster buddy schemes to ensure our carers feel supported every step of the way."
The latest stage of "Bring Something to the Table" is guided by a newly commissioned survey to better understand preconceptions and motivations of social workers. 309 responded and their key findings included:
- 78% social workers surveyed said they entered the profession to support and help families.
- 18% foster carers said negative perceptions of social workers were because of News coverage.
- 29% foster carers said before meeting a social worker they thought they would be 'people with heavy caseloads and lots of paperwork.'
- 27% social workers surveyed believe potential carers fear being judged by professionals.
In the research, foster carers highlighted the importance of close and long-lasting working relationships to support young people to overcome challenges.
They were also keen to dispel myths about social workers and the support you receive, and paid tribute to the dedication of their social workers
One local foster carer said: “In almost 18 years of fostering, I’ve worked with some excellent supervising social workers."
"During a challenging year, my social worker went above and beyond. Their dedication and ability to truly understand our family have been invaluable."
"All my children and young people feel comfortable with them and know they’re being listened to and supported."
Cllr Eddie Williams, cabinet member for social care at Vale Council, said: "I’ve seen first-hand the difference Foster Care can make for children dealing with difficult situations outside their control."
"With incredible support from our local authority foster carers within Foster Vale of Glamorgan, children are supported with empathy, skills, experience, and kindness to ensure they feel safe and secure."
"For anyone considering fostering, the council’s dedicated fostering team is on hand to help people through the process and offer ongoing support."
To learn more about fostering or to make an inquiry, visit the Foster Wales Vale of Glamorgan website.
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