New research highlights expertise and support provided by social workers in Merthyr Tydfil, in attempt to encourage more people to foster

With over 7,000 young people in care across Wales, the need for more Foster Carers is increasingly pressing.

We currently have 83 children and young people in foster care in Merthyr Tydfil; and we need more foster carers to ensure that all our children have the care and support they deserve.

In January the national network of 22 Welsh local authority fostering teams, Foster Wales, launched a campaign to recruit an additional 800 foster families by 2026.

Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil joined the campaign, 'Bring Something to the Table,' to share realistic experiences from the fostering community to respond to common barriers to enquiries.

Some of these include a lack of confidence, misconceptions around criteria, and a belief that that fostering doesn't fit with certain lifestyles.

The latest phase of the campaign focuses on the role of foster care social workers and the 'support bubble' that exists around foster carers, to provide potential carers with:

• Information and understanding around the social workers' role, and how the wider fostering community can support them.
• Confidence and assurance that social workers are caring, pro-active experts who work hard to support both young people and foster carers.
• Motivation to start the process to become a foster carer via a Local Authority.

In a recent public YouGov survey only 44% respondents said social work was well-respected and nearly two fifths (39%) of adults polled felt social work practitioners "often got things wrong." While only 11% of social workers currently believe social work is well-respected.

Our Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil Support Worker Amy Cope said:

"Your social workers are fully supportive throughout your journey from day one. They are there to support you and the children you care for, to provide encouragement and guidance, helping you to enhance your skills to become the best carer you can be.

Becoming a foster carer is like anything, it's all a learning process and if you're caring, compassionate and understanding - then becoming a foster carer could come naturally to you. Before you first enquire, write down all your worries and fears down on a piece of paper and ask to go through the list with a member of the fostering team. we are all here to support and guide you. We would never promise that it will always be easy, but we do promise to support you every step of the way as best as we can, and always in a way with which you feel comfortable."

The latest 'Bring something to the table' campaign is guided by a newly commissioned survey to better understand preconceptions and motivations of social workers. There were 309 respondents and key findings include:

• 78% social workers surveyed said they entered the profession to support and help families
• 18% foster carers said negative perceptions of social workers were because of News coverage
• 29% foster carers said before meeting a social worker they thought they would be 'people with heavy caseloads and lots of paperwork.'
• 27% social workers surveyed believe potential carers fear being judged by professionals

In the research, foster carers highlighted the importance of close and long-lasting working relationships to support young people to overcome challenges. They were also keen to dispel myths about social workers and the support you receive, and paid tribute to the dedication of their social workers:

Our Merthyr Tydfil Foster Carer Sam told us:

"In the almost 18 years of fostering for Merthyr Tydfil Social Services we have had some excellent supervising social workers... truly.

But this past year some of our experiences have made us realise how important it is to have a great, experienced supervising social worker who really takes time to observe and get to know your family and the children who are in your care.

In some difficult circumstances this year I felt my SSW went above and beyond in her role and I feel that has helped me stay grounded and focused. She has come out of her way to help me with some things and has always been available on the phone.

All my children and young people are extremely comfortable in her presence and feel like they are being listened to, and supported and I personally feel that too, which definitely helps me confidently ask for help when I need it.

Her attention to detail and listening skills are second to none as is her knowledge and ability to communicate effectively and professionally on my behalf sometimes with school and others.

As our journey continues now into the lovely world of teenagers and GCSEs no doubt I'll need some extra support going forward, but I'm confident that I'll get it in abundance.

Shout out to the wider team too! As whenever I've called in, be it for immunisation forms needing signing or just a quick chat about something maybe i just wanted to check on, I've always been welcomed and respected, and my issues dealt with efficiently."

Jo Llewellyn, Head of Children's Services for Merthyr Tydfil said:

"Since I started working with the team at Foster Wales Merthyr Tydfil, I have been impressed by the levels of commitment they all have to supporting our foster carers. Social workers, support workers and the recruitment team all make an effort to get to know their foster carers and their families so that they can support them as they go about their key roles looking after some of the vulnerable children in Merthyr Tydfil. This year we have appointed a dedicated Therapeutic Practitioner - a first for a local authority in Wales, which is one example of our support for and commitment to helping our foster families".

For more information about fostering, or to make an enquiry, visit: https://merthyrtydfil.fosterwales.gov.wales/

If you're interested in Fostering, please visit the below:
https://merthyrtydfil.fosterwales.gov.wales/contact/

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