how we support you in Bridgend
support and fostering allowance
how we support you in Bridgend
We’re here to support you. That means we’ll do everything we can to help you provide a stable and loving home for a foster child.
Even before a child arrives, Foster Wales Bridgend provides in-depth guidance and training to make sure fostering is the right fit for you and your family. But the support doesn’t end there.
Once you are fostering a child, we offer:
- ongoing guidance from a dedicated social worker
- fostering pay to cover essential living costs
- a community of local fostering families who can share experience
- friendship and social events
- 50% Council Tax reduction
- among many more benefits
It’s important to consider all of the local benefits for a better understanding, before comparing foster carer payments.
Read on to learn more about the fostering support and rewards we offer.
foster care allowance
do Bridgend foster carers get paid?
Yes, foster carers receive a payment to cover the costs of caring for a child. This amount will vary based on many factors, including
- how many children you foster
- what age the children are
- and how long you’ve fostered for
However, being a foster carer isn’t a conventional job. It doesn’t fit into a box. It’s a home-based 24-7 skilled vocation which we support you financially to do.
At Foster Wales we care about children receiving everything they need to thrive, so we split the payment into 3 parts; the weekly child allowance + the carer’s fee + additional payments.
child's allowance
foster carer's fee
additional payments
our commitment to you
Every Local Authority in Wales has signed up to what we call the ‘National Commitment’. This is an agreed package of training, support, and rewards enjoyed by every one of our foster carers in Wales.
your local Bridgend fostering team
Offering ongoing support is an essential part of our work here at Foster Wales Bridgend, and you’ll never be without it.
As your local authority fostering service, we work together with you, the children in your care and every professional around the child as part of one same service. We’re all based in the Civic Centre and that focus on connection helps ensure the best possible futures for all the children we care for, and their foster families.
You are an integral part of this team, which means you’ll be included, valued and respected.
dedicated supervising social workers
You’ll have a skilled and experienced professional social worker assigned, dedicated to supporting you, your family and your network.
As well as your own professional and experienced social worker on hand to help, you’ll have access to a whole range of support groups.
So, you’re not out there on your own. You have a team to support and encourage you, every step of the way.
fostering community
Experienced pioneer foster carers can support you through your journey as a foster carer. You’ll also be invited to events and activities, both for you and for the children, designed to bring you closer to other foster families. To give you new experiences, new friendships, and new memories.
Joining Foster Wales Bridgend means you’ll automatically receive a membership to The Fostering Network (TFN) and The Association for Fostering and Adoption (AFA) Cymru. We believe these specialist fostering organisations offer the right kind of advice, support, guidance and a whole range of other perks.
We’ll make sure you’re well connected in our fostering community throughout your journey as a foster carer.
learning opportunities
Our learning and development framework is tried and tested, developed with foster carers and consistent across Wales.
Local training courses are a great way to meet other foster carers, and we offer other resources, tools and ways to learn too. We know how much learning and growth is a part of the fostering experience and we actively encourage it at every point.
more questions on financial support?
We'll share and explain all the support you can receive. For a full breakdown of the local fostering allowances and financial support we offer, request an information pack.
other support and rewards
leisure pass
Free leisure membership for the entire fostering household, meaning unlimited use of Local Authority gyms, swimming pools, classes and soft play.
council tax incentive
All approved Foster Wales Bridgend foster carers will receive a 50% council tax reduction (as a rebate at the end of the financial year).
support and social activities
Regular newsletters and support group meet-ups to keep in touch. Plus social activities for the whole family throughout the year, from sandcastle building in Porthcawl, to Halloween and Christmas parties! We have celebration events, and also a dedicated private Facebook group for carers.
pioneer foster carers
Some of our experienced foster carers have undertaken additional training in order to support and mentor other foster carers. They are our Pioneer foster carers (and they’re fab)!
have your say
A consultation event held twice a year where all foster carers are invited and we encourage you to have your say, give feedback and help shape our fostering service in Bridgend. You are a valued and respected member of our fostering community.
training opportunities
A wide range of learning and development opportunities delivered in flexible ways, including e-learning, podcasts, reading material, workshops…even TV shows provide learning opportunities. We want you to be the best you can be so we aid in your training to help you thrive.
