MORE FOSTER CARERS NEEDED

Neil Hamilton, AM for Mid & West Wales and Leader of UKIP Wales, is calling on his constituents to consider becoming foster parents in 2020.

Mr Hamilton’s call comes after The Fostering Network, estimated that 550 foster families will be needed in Wales, to keep up with the widespread demand.

He said:

“As we start the New Year, many of us will be thinking about how we might be able to help others.  If your circumstances permit, fostering can really help to make a major difference to a child’s life.

“I am delighted to back Pembrokeshire County Council who are one of eight local authorities who have joined forces to create #20Reasons.The campaign gives 20 reasons why you should foster in 2020, including making this difference to a child’s life by giving them a sense of love, belonging and security and also being part of building a positive future.

“Like most of us, I greatly admire the selfless work done by carers and foster parents to help others.  It is also very rewarding and I would urge anyone interested to make enquiries and get involved.

“Children all over Wales are desperately needing a family who will give them a loving home.  To meet this need it is vital we have foster families out there who can care for them.”

Foster carers have a real chance to make a positive difference to the lives of children. They receive 24 hour support, financial allowances and on-going training.

Councillor Tessa Hodgson, Pembrokeshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Services said: “Not many people know the realities of fostering in Pembrokeshire. From gaining new skills and qualifications to changing your career and feeling the reward and fulfilment that fostering brings.

“There are many reasons why people choose to foster, and we hope we can inspire more to become the lifeline children and young people need.”

All types of foster carers are needed but particularly those who would consider fostering teenagers, therapeutic carers, respite carers, emergency carers, sibling groups and children with additional needs.

Carmarthenshire County Council is also looking for foster parents as there are currently more than 200 children from new-born to 18-years-old being fostered throughout the county.

More carers are needed to care for children and young people, with the greatest need for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

For more information about fostering in Carmarthenshire, contact the Fostering Recruitment Team for an informal chat and to answer any questions on 0800 0933 699 or email fostering@carmarthenshire.gov.uk. To find out more about fostering in general visit the website foster.midandwest.wales/Carmarthenshire. For Pembrokeshire go to

https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/fostering.