Foster Care Fortnight Celebrates Power of Relationships

Strategic Insights -

Foster Care Fortnight, the UK's biggest fostering awareness campaign, takes place from May 12 to May 25, with this year's theme focusing on the crucial role of relationships in fostering. The campaign highlights the importance of bonds formed between carers and children, as well as relationships with social workers and the foster care community. Foster carer Lucy shares her experience of fostering through Foster Wales Newport, emphasizing the lasting impact of meaningful relationships on both carers and children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2023 Foster Care Fortnight campaign in the UK takes place from May 12 to May 25, with a focus on the power of relationships in fostering.
  • Foster carer Lucy shared her experience of fostering through Foster Wales Newport, highlighting the lasting relationships formed between carers, children, and social workers.
  • Foster Wales is aiming to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026 to help address the shortage of foster families in Wales, where over 7,000 children are in care.
  • The national network of not-for-profit local authority fostering services in Wales, Foster Wales, is working to raise the profile of fostering and demonstrate its transformative impact on lives.
  • Foster Care Fortnight is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to promote fostering awareness and showcase its life-changing benefits.

Statistics:

  • Over 7,000 children are in care in Wales.
  • Only 3,800 foster families are available in Wales, highlighting a significant shortage.
  • Foster Wales aims to recruit an additional 800 carers by 2026 to address the shortage.
  • Foster Care Fortnight is the UK's biggest fostering awareness campaign, running from May 12 to May 25.

Sources:

  • Newport City Council
  • UK Government
  • Foster Wales Newport
  • Foster Wales
  • The Fostering Network