Pembrokeshire County Council Family Placement Team is calling for more foster families in the county, as The Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight TM 2019 begins across the UK.

There is a particular need for people who might be able to care for children with additional needs, teenagers or sibling groups.

Fostering offers children and young people a home when they are unable to live with their birth family.

Sometimes children only stay with a foster family for a few days, while others will live with their foster family for their entire childhood and beyond.

Foster carers make a significant difference in the lives of fostered children and young people, helping them to flourish and changing their future.

One of our care leavers shares her experiences.

“Before I went into foster care, I had adult responsibilities and I didn’t live the life of an average young girl.

“Each day I faced challenges that I never thought I would ever face.

“I then went into foster care, and it was the best nine years of my life.

“In my early teenage years, I faced mental health and thought I had hit rock bottom.

“My foster parents are my family and they always will be.

“I speak to them weekly and they still to this day, push me to be who I want to be. They accepted my decisions in life and support me through thick and thin.”

“Foster carers can impact on a young person’s life and change them for the better, because mine did.

“They are the reason I did not give up when I wanted too and they are the reason why I’m in University because I’ve been told I’d never achieve anything in life.

“Well, those people were wrong and my foster parents helped me prove to those people that I am worth something in life.”

Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Social Services added

“Our foster carers come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of life and work experiences with them.

“They offer children love, warmth and stability, working as part of a team of professionals.

“They receive excellent training and support from The Family Placement Team and also receive an allowance to cover the cost of looking after the children in their care, as well as a weekly fee.”

Kevin Williams, chief executive of The Fostering Network, said: “The theme of this year’s Foster Care Fortnight is #changeafuture, reflecting the vital role that fostering plays in our society and the fact that we know that good foster carer can transform lives and change futures.

“Foster carers are amazing people, but we really do need more of them. A wider pool of foster carers enables fostering services to be able to match the needs of each child more closely with the particular skills that each foster carer brings, and to find the right home for each child. That’s why, as part of Foster Care Fortnight, we are urging people in Pembrokeshire to get in touch with their fostering service today.”

“If you have a spare room and think you could offer the support, stability and care to help change a fostered child’s future, please get in touch by ringing the Family Placement Team on 01437 774650; E-mail [email protected] or visit us at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/fostering