Find out if you could be a foster carer
In a few simple questions, you’ll know if you’re suitable to apply to become a foster carer.
Many children need fostering in Cardiff and across Wales. We offer training, 24/7 support, peer support and professional development. We welcome applicants new to fostering or you can transfer to us as an experienced foster carer.
If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, choose a fostering agency with local teams who will be with you every step.
National Fostering Group is the largest independent fostering agency in the UK with superb agency coverage across all regions – meaning you have the support of a team close to you.
One of the most established fostering agencies in Cardiff, we work with local authorities to place children and young people in homes where they can thrive.
As a foster carer with us, you’ll have unparalleled access to professional support and excellent free training in your local area. We want you to thrive too, being the best you can be in your role as foster carer.
On top of this, carers who are fostering in Cardiff have a large and active peer network that includes several local support groups.
Our foster carers in Wales are supported by a large team of fostering professionals at NFA Wales, our agency that covers South and Mid-Wales, Valleys, Bridgend and Swansea. Many of our supervising social workers and our registered manager are first-language Welsh speakers. While it covers a large geographical area, the agency has a friendly, family feel and organises breakfast clubs, well-being activities and activities.
Our average foster carer pay is around £24,500 a year (£2,040 on average per month), which is far higher than the government’s recommended weekly allowance. For most foster carers in Wales, this will be tax free! Some types of fostering placement pay more than £35,000 a year. Foster carer pay doesn’t affect state benefits you’re currently receiving.
I have been fostering with National Fostering Group for 15 years - that in itself speaks volumes. There's lots of support from the agency, supervising social workers and fellow carers and that's important to me.
We have regular local training courses, support groups and a carers' website, which you can access once you're an approved foster carer. We also meet socially for coffee mornings and lunch. Come join us - you know you want to!
If you think you’d like to become a foster carer in Wales, your next step is to have a chat. You can book a call by using our enquiry form. After this, if you decide to go ahead with an application, this usually takes around 16 weeks and we’ll help you every step of the way. We’ll help you decide what types of fostering you want to do and we’ll even get you started with foster carer training.
We are looking for foster carers in Cardiff, Valleys, Swansea, Bridgend and the rest of Wales. We welcome people from ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, physical abilities and the LGBT+ community. You can be single, married, a homeowner or a tenant. Your ability to care for and nurture a child is what really matters. If you’ve worked in sectors like education, the emergency services, care or healthcare, you’ll be especially suited to this role.
Hundreds of children and young people are awaiting foster parents in Wales. National Fostering Group has local offices across the country including Cardiff, Wrexham, Swansea, Rhonda Cynin Taf and Newport, plus a North Wales support group hub in Rhyl.
Being a foster carer with National Fostering Group has been fantastic right from the beginning. They answered my questions, eased my concerns, and gave me the support I needed to get going.
Since then, they've provided fantastic support at every opportunity, which has allowed me to make a big difference to the lives of the kids I care for.
Our foster carers come from all walks of life. With training, support and a generous fostering allowance, they provide homes where children can thrive and experience the childhood they deserve. More than 9,000 new foster carers are needed UK-wide to provide homes for children in need of a foster family. If you’re thinking of becoming a foster carer, now’s the time.
Source: The Fostering Network
