Foster Wales Monmouthshire is marking this year’s Foster Care Fortnight by calling on residents to consider becoming foster carers.

Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s largest fostering awareness campaign, celebrating the difference foster carers make and encouraging more people to come forward.

Fostering comes in many forms, from short-term and emergency care to long-term and short-breaks fostering, offering flexible options that can fit around different lifestyles and commitments. This means you could provide vital support to children and young people in ways that work for your own family life and circumstances.

Whilst we are keen to encourage people to consider fostering for all age groups, we are particularly keen to encourage people to consider fostering teenagers. Like their peers , teenagers in care need support to help them do well in school, have healthy relationships and prepare for independence. A stable foster home can provide consistent support and help young people build confidence for adulthood, while staying close to family, friends and their community.

Foster Wales Monmouthshire is encouraging individuals and families to find out more. With the support we provide, fostering a teenager can be a hugely rewarding and life-changing experience at a pivotal time in a young person’s life.

The not-for-profit Foster Wales Monmouthshire team will be out in the community throughout the fortnight, raising awareness and speaking to residents about fostering.

Cllr Ian Chandler, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, Safeguarding and Accessible Health Services, said: “Foster carers in Monmouthshire do an incredible job helping children and young people feel safe, valued and supported.

“We are particularly looking for more people who could offer a home to teenagers. These young people need stability, guidance and someone who believes in them as they move towards independence. If you think you could make a difference, please get in touch.”

Foster carers with Foster Wales Monmouthshire receive local support, training, peer networks, financial allowances and access to specialist services.

By fostering locally, carers can help children and young people stay close to the people and places that matter most to them.

If you can provide a safe and supportive home for a young person, Foster Wales Monmouthshire would like to hear from you.

To find out more, visit: https://fosterwales.monmouthshire.gov.uk