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Social services

Foster Care Fortnight Celebrates Meaningful Relationships for Young People in Care

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

This year's Foster Care Fortnight is highlighting the importance of relationships for young people in care. The event, which takes place annually between May 12 and May 25, is celebrating the impact of foster care communities on the lives of young people. In Wales, there are over 7,000 children in care, but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales is aiming to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026. The event shares stories of young people who have formed lasting relationships with their foster carers, social workers, and friends through Foster Wales RCT.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 7,000 children are in care in Wales, but only 3,800 foster families are available to support them.
  • Foster Wales is working to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026 to meet the growing need for foster families.
  • A young person named Ruby has shared her story of forming lasting relationships with her foster carer, Tracy, and her social worker, who gets along well with Ruby's birth mother.
  • Ruby's foster carer, Tracy, has had a positive impact on Ruby's life, allowing her to spend quality time with her whole family without having to visit a contact centre.
  • The Children's Services Director for RCT, Annabel Lloyd, is thrilled to hear about the positive relationships developed between children and foster carers in Foster Wales RCT.
  • Foster Care Fortnight is an annual event that takes place between May 12 and May 25, and it celebrates the importance of relationships in foster care.
  • Meet your local Foster Wales RCT team in person at the Aberdare Parkrun on May 17th, the Aberdare Festival on May 24th, or join their online information session on May 21st.

Statistics:

  • 7,056 children are in care in Wales.
  • 3,800 foster families are available to support children in care in Wales.
  • Foster Wales aims to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026.
  • The Foster Care Fortnight event takes place between May 12 and May 25.
  • The Aberdare Parkrun event will take place on May 17th.
  • The Aberdare Festival event will take place on May 24th.
  • The online information session will take place on May 21st from 7-8 pm.

Sources:

  • Rhondda Cynon Taf Council news release
  • Foster Wales RCT website
  • "I love that my mother and foster carer get along so well, it means we all do lovely things together for my family time and I do not have my contact at the contact centre" - Ruby
  • "I look forward to Foster Care Fortnight every year as the campaign gives me an opportunity to personally thank all of our foster carers" - Annabel Lloyd, Children's Services Director for RCT

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