A series of front doors installed by Foster Wales highlight those who have opened their homes to foster children in Wales as it aims to significantly increase the number and diversity of Local Authority foster carers.
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Several life-size front doors have been unveiled outside the Senedd as the new network of 22 Local Authority fostering services across the country, Foster Wales, invites the public to consider opening their homes to help accommodate the numbers of children in Wales who need care and support.
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Foster Wales is working towards increasing the number of foster carers in Local Authorities in Wales to help keep children in their local area, when that is right for them, which contributes to the national impact on the futures of young people.鈥��
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At the close of March 2020, Welsh Government statistics revealed that 84% of children living with foster families were still able to live in their own area, maintaining familiarity with the community they already knew.
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Foster Wales aim is to encourage those who are thinking of fostering to do so in their local authority so that important relationships, which can help children thrive, can continue.
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Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan said, 鈥淔oster carers in Wales have told me countless times about how rewarding the experience of looking after a child can be. I encourage anyone who can open their home so that those children who need our help can live happier childhoods and grow up into the people they want to be.鈥�
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Today鈥檚 unveiling of life-sized front doors represents each of the 22 Local Authorities and the combined national goal of working together to help build better futures for children in Wales.听
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Grahame, Gwent local authority carer with his wife Wendy, said: 鈥淔ostering has been a ride 鈥� a mixture of fun and sadness but an overwhelming sense of pride.
鈥溾�淥ur own children had left home but we still felt we had so much more to offer as parents and carers. The secret is to love the children your care for and accept them as part of your lives and part of your wider family.
鈥淧roviding a secure and loving home to child or young person will not just make a difference to their life but will change yours in a positive and rewarding way.
鈥淲e have been supported at every step by the local authority and we would encourage others to open their doors and hearts to a child. Get in touch with your local authority team today.鈥�
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Foster Wales is encouraging more people like听Grahame to open up their homes to help build better futures for local children in need.
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Today鈥檚 event follows the recent launch of a wider Foster Wales campaign which aims to make a substantial national impact on the futures of young people in Wales.