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.
NFA Wales operates across the whole of Wales having our largest group of foster carers based in South and Mid Wales around Cardiff, Valleys and Swansea. We are able to offer an active service in the Welsh Language to our foster carers with social workers and our practice manager being first-language Welsh speakers. We support foster carers to provide a service to children from Wales within their local community.
We provide local support to our foster carers which includes support groups, breakfast clubs, well-being activities and activities for children.
Foster children rely on the help of people like you. And with over 5000 of them needing loving homes in Wales, they need you more than ever. So join our award-winning community of life-changing carers today.
“NFA Wales clearly places children’s well-being and safety at the centre of its service. Children experience good quality care from skilled robustly recruited and trained foster carers.”
Care Inspectorate Wales
Address
Solva House
Springmeadow Road, Springmeadow Business Park
Rumney
Cardiff
CF3 2ES
Phone number
02921 672 899
General email
[email protected]
Opening Hours
We also have an office in Swansea
NFA Wales, Penllergaer Business Park, Penllergaer, Swansea, SA4 9HL
National Fostering Group is Committed to Not-for-Profit Fostering in Wales
National Fostering Group is dedicated to providing the highest quality support to foster parents and young people across Wales. In line with the Welsh Government’s legislation requiring all children’s services providers to operate on a not-for-profit basis by 2027, we are proactively transitioning our services in Wales to meet this requirement. Our commitment ensures that we continue to offer outstanding care while putting the needs of children and foster families first.
You can find out more information on this transition here
Our agency covers the whole of Wales offering support to foster carers and children within their local community. Every foster carer is allocated an experienced supervising social worker who can offer a responsive support service and help foster carers to provide the best support and promote positive outcomes for children. Our staff understand some of the challenges of the fostering role and ensure you can access the support services you need whether from the local authority or from NFA Well-being hub.
“Supporting our foster carers is one of our highest priorities in NFA Wales. Through our Foster Carer Forum meetings which meet on a quarterly basis, we ensure we offer carers the support they need and gain our foster carer’s views on how best to develop the service. Along with our Ambassador service offering peer support to carers, the Foster Carer Forum ensures carers are at the heart of NFA Wales operating the best service possible to carers and children and young people.”
Ann-Marie Browning, Regional Manager
“Staff have a shared passion to promote the best outcomes possible for children”
Care Inspectorate Wales
Despite size and geographical challenges, we are proud of the high level of support given to foster carers. Standard weekly calls and monthly visits increase in frequency if the foster carer is experiencing problems and there is someone available on the phone 24/7 to offer help and advice.
Local support groups are run by supervising social workers; some of them are specialist support groups, including one for unaccompanied asylum seekers. Foster Care Ambassadors fulfil a valuable mentoring and buddying role to less experienced carers. This all helps to create a family feel – which is normally only found in smaller agencies.
“Foster carers receive regular, reliable support from a team of enthusiastic, experienced and committed staff.”
Care Inspectorate Wales
NFA Wales support therapeutic foster care and to ensure our foster carers receive the best support possible they can access psychological expertise from our therapeutic well-being hub. All foster carers are able to complete therapeutic foundation training which informs carers how to better understand the experiences of children who are looked after and promote their well-being.
“Children’s education and health needs are prioritised and a wide range of support is available.”
Care Inspectorate Wales
We value the contribution of our foster carers within NFA Wales and offer a series of engagement events to ensure we build positive relationships. All members of the staff team spend time meeting our foster carers and children, so we are able to offer the support needed. We arrange regular breakfast and lunch meet-ups with carers and also organise annual events to celebrate the fantastic contribution of our carers.
“ A culture of learning and aspiration is evident across the service”
Care Inspectorate Wales
Our approach means we have good retention levels for foster carers, some of whom have been with the National Fostering Agency Wales for 10-15 years. We also achieve good placement stability, which means better outcomes for children. We pride ourselves on our open learning and communication culture.
“Children do things that matter to them and have fun. Their cultural needs are respected”
Care Inspectorate Wales
We know that sometimes problems can arise and when they occur, we work as a team to resolve issues at an early stage. Foster carers can raise concerns directly with any staff in the agency. We are always there to listen and improve the service we deliver. We offer foster carer forums to gain the views of our carers and also carry out regular surveys online which we can use to develop better services for carers and children and young people. We know that by supporting our carers they are better able to support the children and young people they care for.
“There is strong leadership and management at the service” The regional manager is very experienced, visible and described by staff as “knowledgeable, committed and approachable”
Care Inspectorate Wales
