In recent years, Wales has seen a significant growth in the number of children placed within the foster care system. Multiple reports had confirmed this as a fact in 2021, but not much has changed since then. As of now, the percentage of foster children in Wales is higher than it is in any other part of the UK.
Far Above the Average Rate in the UK
As per the aforementioned reports by the BBC, about 7,170 Welsh children were in foster care last year, which is roughly 1.14% of the total population of children in Wales. Only Scotland comes close to Wales here, with the number of Scottish children in foster care reported to be at 1.06% in 2021. In comparison, the combined average of foster children in the UK was much lower at 0.72%. While several reasons have been cited by the various authority figures to explain the increasing number, the remarkable increase of 80% between 2003 and 2021 is not to be taken lightly.
More Foster Parents Are Always Welcome
The need for foster parents is pretty much there throughout the UK, so it is not just exclusive to Wales. However, as a natural consequence of the increasing numbers, that need is particularly strong within the Welsh foster care system right now. Anyone who is both eligible and willing to care for children in Cardiff should contact the thefca.co.uk.
Even if an applicant is not trained to take on a specific fostering role, it’s possible that they might be eligible to receive training from their foster care agency. On being selected through a two stage interview process, all eligible foster parents will receive financial support in the form of fostering allowances and tax benefits.
A Look Through the Eligibility Criteria
The exact eligibility criteria will vary based on the kind of foster care that a child needs. For example, children with disabilities can only be cared for by adequately trained foster parents in properly equipped homes. Training will always be provided to help foster parents deal with children from a range of different backgrounds, including complex needs and also children who have experienced trauma and abuse.
Nevertheless, the basic criteria which a willing adult must meet before applying can be easily underlined as follows:
- The applicant must be at least 21-years old
- He/she must either be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United Kingdom
- The applicant must have a spare room
- An interested foster parent must be both willing and capable of dedicating as much time as needed to the foster child
It should be noted that to take on the role of therapeutic, remand, respite, or any other specialist foster care provider, the applicant must have the necessary qualifications to fit that specialist role. Most new applicants may find it easier to sign up for short term foster care initially. As mentioned, specialist care training is often paid for and provided through the local foster care agencies, but some roles will still need to be fulfilled by foster parents with at least some prior fostering experience.