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Foster care fortnight 2022

Published: 05/05/2022

Flintshire is one of 22 local authorities in Wales, working together as Foster Wales.

This Foster Care Fortnight (9-22 May), Foster Wales wants to celebrate the difference that foster carers have made to children’s lives in Flintshire.  It is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network. This year’s theme is 'fostering communities' and the campaign will focus on the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. 

It hopes to shine a light on the many ways people in the fostering community have supported each other during the Covid-19 pandemic – and to highlight the need for more dedicated foster carers. 

Over the last two years, families across the country have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic.

Many have used this difficult period as an opportunity to create an altogether more positive ‘new normal’ - not only in their lives but in the lives of local fostered children. According to Foster Wales, over 350 families in Wales started fostering with their local authority during this time.

Flintshire’s Chief Officer for Social Services, Neil Ayling, said: 

“The last two years have certainly been challenging but we’ve seen such compassion and selflessness from our foster carers in Flintshire who have opened their doors to children and given them a safe place to be.

“Fostering has had to adapt to the different circumstances during the past two years and our foster carers really stepped up to provide outstanding care and support for children and families who needed them, and we want to say a big thank you and convey our appreciation for everything they've done.”

One foster carer who decided to open up her heart and her home to care for children and young people in the last 12 months is Caz Bateman, 40 from Mancot, who became a foster carer with Foster Wales Flintshire in May 2021. 

‘’For the past couple of years we have discussed the possibility of us fostering as a family. It was only during the Covid pandemic that we all sat down together and had an in depth conversation as a family about moving forward with the idea. 

“We had more time at home as a family and decided to make enquires with our local authority. We completed the skills to foster training online and this month will be one year since we were officially approved. We have had over a dozen foster children so far! 

“We are also part of the mockingbird constellation and have our own little network of extended family where we all support one another.’’

Foster Wales wants to encourage more people to become foster carers in Flintshire so that children can stay local, close to their friends, family and remain in their school. This can help children and young people maintain their sense of identity during a really difficult time. 

To find out how you can foster in Flintshire visit www.fosterwales.gov.wales.