WITH MORE than 7,000 young people in care across Wales, the need for more foster carers is increasingly pressing
In January the national network of 22 Welsh local authority fostering teams, Foster Wales, launched a campaign to recruit an additional 800 foster families by 2026.
‘Bring Something to the Table,’ shares 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.
The latest phase of the campaign focuses on the role of foster care social workers and the ‘support bubble’ that exists around foster carers, to provide potential carers with:
- Information and understanding around the social workers’ role, and how the wider fostering community can support them.
- Confidence and assurance that social workers are caring, pro-active experts who work hard to support both young people and foster carers.
- Motivation to start the process to become a foster carer via a Local Authority.
In a recent public YouGov survey 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.”
Only 11% of social workers currently believe social work is well-respected. Most social workers link negative perceptions of the profession to a lack of understanding about what social workers do.
“There’s a lot of bad press. Some people still believe social workers are only there to remove children from families and that they are paid extra to do so.”
The latest ‘Bring something to the table’ campaign is guided by a newly commissioned survey to better understand preconceptions and motivations of social workers.
There were 309 respondents and key findings include:
- 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: “In almost 18 years of fostering, we’ve had some excellent supervising social workers, truly. Whenever I’ve called in, be it for paperwork or just a quick chat, I’ve always been welcomed and respected.
“During some difficult circumstances this past year, where my supervising social worker went above and beyond, I’ve realised how important it is to have a social worker who takes time to observe, and get to know your family, and the children. It has helped me stay grounded and focused.
“All my children and young people are extremely comfortable with them and feel like they are being listened to and supported. I personally feel that too, which helps me confidently ask for help if I feel I need it.
“Their attention to detail and listening skills are second to none, as is their knowledge and ability to communicate effectively and professionally on my behalf.
“As our journey continues now into the lovely world of teenagers and GCSEs, no doubt I’ll need some extra support going forward, but I’m confident that I’ll get it in abundance.”
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: “Social workers are superheroes who often do not get the recognition and respect that they deserve. They make impossible decisions daily that I couldn’t.
“I see the long hours and the stress they carry daily. But I also see the resilience, the understanding, and the care they have for these children.”
Meanwhile social workers who responded to the survey had the following reflections on what makes a great foster carer: “Foster carers can be the best advocates for the children who can’t vocalise their wishes for themselves.” “Remember you are an ‘equal’ within the process and your views are welcomed and respected.”
Ingrid is a supervising social worker for Wrexham County Council and has spent 20 years working directly with foster carers.
She said: “I recall supporting one family, caring for two siblings aged 9 and 7 years on a long-term basis. The couple were highly motivated to nurture a bond with the children. However, the children had previously only depended on each other for meeting daily needs like food and protection from abuse.
“The foster carers felt shut out by both children, feeling they were rejecting their attempts to parent them. We had many conversations about how we could address this, and it was suggested that perhaps showing the children some level of vulnerability may help.
“Following this, the family went on holiday together and went climbing. The female foster carer was daunted by the activity and afraid. The children encouraged her, helped her and guided her.
“This single event changed the whole dynamic and they were then able to bond. The children had control in this situation and met the carers need. She trusted in them and this in turn allowed the children to trust her and accept her.
“It’s that creative problem solving that typifies the relationship between foster carer and social worker.”
Alastair Cope, Head of Foster Wales, said: “The latest phase of our award-winning Bring Something To The Table campaign highlights the important role that the whole of Wales’ fostering community plays in supporting young people and how teamwork is the key ingredient in ensuring we can create positive outcomes for young people in care.
“The research we have conducted has been important in helping us better understand the challenges that social workers and support workers face when carrying out their vital roles – but also the amazing relationships that have flourished across Wales’ fostering community, to build a real support network for both foster carers and young people.
“Every day, foster carers across Wales use their skills, life-experience and knowledge to offer life-changing support to young people – but it’s important to recognise and highlight that as local authority foster carers, they can always rely on an experienced and extensive network of support around them.
“So, we really do encourage people who are thinking about fostering to get in touch today.”
For more information about fostering, or to make an enquiry, visit the Foster Wales website.
