Angie and David Philllips are two foster carers from Cwmbran. Watch them talk about their crucial role and ask yourself: Could I be a foster carer?

David Phillips is an archer who has competed in Paralympic events. He joins his wife Angie here in this video to talk about fostering.

More Than a Job

Torfaen Council has launched a campaign- More Than a Job- to raise awareness of the need to recruit more foster carers in 2016.

It encourages all those who care about children in Torfaen to consider fostering for their new year’s resolution.

There are currently nearly 300 looked after children in Torfaen, with a particular shortage of foster carers who look after teenagers, siblings and children with disabilities. Torfaen Council are also looking for carers who would be prepared to offer placements on a lodgings basis for young people who are in employment, college or university as a stepping stone towards independence. This follows a new government legislation acknowledging that some young people are not ready for independence at such a young age.

‘More Than A Job’ campaign recognises that being a foster carer is more than just a career, it is a commitment. Being a foster carer allows people to utilise the skills they have gained as parents, and use them in this profession.

Those who have not had children can still foster, as the family placement team at Torfaen Council provide full training and support.

Training and qualifications

Councillor Richard Clark, executive member for health, social care and wellbeing, said:  “Foster carers can gain training and qualifications to help them learn more about the needs of foster children to become great carers. For those who love and care about children, it can be a rewarding new career path.”

Andrea Yeo, manager of the family placement team, said: “We already have a fantastic group of foster carers in Torfaen, but we need to expand this team to ensure all children in need of fostering have a safe home environment.

“Foster carers will receive full on-going support from Torfaen council’s services, and opportunities to meet with fellow local foster carers.”

Find out more about being a Torfaen foster carer

Visit the fostering section of Torfaen council’s website to find out more. www.torfaen.gov.uk/fostering

Call the Family Placement Team on 01495 766669.

The role of a foster carer

This list is from Torfaen Council’s website:

You will:

-provide for the physical needs of the children / young people in your care
-attempt to provide as normal and settled a family-life experience for the children in your care as possible
-be expected to encourage children in contact with their friends and families
-be expected to make the day-to-day decisions about the child’s routine care
-be invited to contribute to the planning and review processes in relation to the children for whom you care
-work within the boundaries of confidentiality in respect of information given by the department, but with the expectation that you report information disclosed by the child
-record and pass on information which is relevant to the on-going welfare of the child to the appropriate worker involved in their care
-undertake ongoing training appropriate to your own, and the child’s, identified needs – attending a minimum of 3 training events each year
-support the children in their care in their education by encouraging attendance at school, the completion of homework and coursework, and by attending concerts and parents evenings.