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Foster Care Fortnight The Fostering Network


Transform a child’s life – become a foster carer ‘Being a foster carer has changed our life totally, we eat and drink fostering.’


Fostering transforms lives. Today, in Wales, over 4,200 children are living with foster families who are offering them the support, stability, security and love that they need to enable them to flourish. Te foster carers that they are being cared by have committed themselves to ensuring


that these


children have every opportunity to overcome the difficult start to life that many of them will have experienced and to have happy,


fulfilling


childhoods. Foster Care Fortnight (8- 21 May) is a celebration of foster care delivered by


the UK’s leading fostering charity, Te Fostering Network. Across Wales, the work of foster carers will be highlighted so that everyone can see the passion, dedication and expertise of foster carers who care for fostered children and young people in their own homes. Tere is always a need for more foster carers in Wales – hundreds each year. Tere is a particular need for people to come forward who think they might have the right skills and experience to care for teenagers and sibling groups.


Just as there


is diversity in fostered children, foster carers need to come from a variety of backgrounds and have different life experiences, skills and qualities to help meet the needs of each individual child and young person in foster care. Without more foster families coming forward during 2017 some children will find themselves living a long way from family, school and friends, being split up from brothers and sisters, or being placed with a foster carer who does not have the right skills and experience to best meet


their specific needs. Tere is then a significant risk that a child’s placement will break down, further disrupting an already traumatic childhood. Fostering transforms fostered children’s lives, but it can also transform the lives of foster carers and their families. Lynda and her husband Ian are foster carers for teenagers in Wales. Tey say: ‘It has changed


totally, we eat and drink fostering. It keeps


our life us


young and tests us every day. It has also brought us closer as a couple as we


talk all the time especially when the kids are in bed to discuss what was good and what wasn't and how we could have done it better. ‘Of course, teenagers can be challenging, but we are so grateful to the teenager we cared for long term as we learnt so much so quickly. He was fabulous company and was brilliant with other fostered children we had. Others should consider fostering teenagers because when you make a difference it is massive. Getting a teenager to eat


vegetables rather than fast food it like winning the Lottery! Teaching them skill sets they have missed out on is gratifying as you know they will be able to use them for the rest of their lives.’ If you


are interested


in finding out more about becoming a foster carer


you can visit


thefosteringnetwork.org. uk/could-you-foster or to make a donation to Te Fostering Network as they help transform fostered children’s lives visit thefosteringnetwork. org.uk/donate


We areAction ForChildren


WhyFoster with us? •Wehavebeenrated as the Highest QualityFostering service in Wales by the National FosteringFramework


•Weare acharitythatcontinuallyinvestsinour services to supportour foster parents


•Weare the only charitable therapeuticfosteringservice in Wales


Find outmoreaboutfosteringwithanational children’s charitythat always puts families first.


Call 01633 270422 andspeak to Alisonoremail fostering.wales@actionforchildren.org.uk


Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/actionforchildrenfosteringwales


www.actionforchildren.org.uk


Action ForChildren is aNationalchildren's charitythathas been caringfor vulnerablechildren since 1869. Registered charity: 1097940/SC038092


Registered Charity Nos.216250 and SC037605 16 - Friday 28th April 2017 – Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser Registered Charity Nos.216250 and SC037605 www.cardiffandsouthwalesadvertiser.com


By fostering with Barnardo’s you can help her, whatever she’s going through. And we’ll help you.


We are looking for foster carers who can support children of all ages and backgrounds.


Tel: 02920 493387 Email: bcafs-south@barnardos.org.uk Website: barnardos.org.uk/child-fostering-in-wales


By fostering with Ba help her, whatever sh And we’ll help you.


We are looking for foster care of all ages and backgrounds.


Please get in touch for details of our informal information sessions occurring in your local area.


Please get in touch for details sessions occurring in your lo


Tel: 02920 493387 Email: bcafs-south@barnardo Website: barnardos.org.uk/c


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