Local authority foster carers offered ‘unique package of benefits’ in new retention and recruitment drive
Monday 02 February 2026
Bridgend County Borough Council’s fostering service (Foster Wales Bridgend) has announced an exciting new initiative in a bid to retain and attract more foster carers.
As part of a unique package of benefits, local authority foster carers will be offered an incentive payment of 50 per cent reduction in their council tax bill.
Additionally, the introduction of a new Placement Support Team (PST) to provide practical support for foster carers and the children they care for will be made available seven days a week and includes an adviceline carers can use to contact the team out of hours. Made up of six placement support workers, a team manager, and a full-time Behaviour Analyst, the PST team will focus on helping to support carers, children and young people to remain settled in their homes and to continue to thrive.
This new and improved emotional and financial support package is not only aimed at attracting more foster carers, but is part of the council’s wider commitment to strengthening and retaining its current fostering community and acknowledging the invaluable role they play in supporting local children and young people in care.
Even before a child arrives, Foster Wales Bridgend provides in-depth guidance and training, but the support doesn’t end there. The full support package for people who foster with the local authority now includes the following benefits:
- Incentive payment of 50 per cent of their council tax liability
- Competitive allowances and enhanced fees, paid per child
- Free leisure centre membership with Halo
- Access to exclusive discounts and activities for local authority foster families, for example Blue Light Card
- A dedicated team of experienced staff based in the community, including ongoing guidance from a dedicated social worker
- All the relevant training needed to get started on the fostering journey
- Support from experienced pioneer foster carers
- Regular meetups with other foster carers, from coffee support to sandcastle building, to celebration events
- Consultation events where foster carers have their say to help shape the fostering service
“This is a good incentive to help new foster carers join Foster Wales Bridgend. It will be beneficial to all, especially when you may have a gap in having a child in your care. It makes us feel like we are being appreciated by our local authority, and as foster carers. We used placement support when Bridgend originally had the team a few years ago. When funding caused it to stop, we found it was a big loss, so it will be amazing to have this service back and to know there is someone there at the end of the phone outside of office hours and on weekends. We know we can contact other carers and Pioneer foster carers, but to know there is a support team available 24/7 is great. The right support at the right time makes every placement stronger, because when carers feel supported, the children feel secure.”
Foster Wales Bridgend is part of the national network of all 22 Welsh local authority fostering services, working together to build better futures for local children.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Foster Wales Bridgend is dedicated to working as a team with foster carers to help build brighter futures for local children in Bridgend County Borough by helping them stay in their local area, when it is right for them.
“I am delighted that my cabinet colleagues were supportive of the proposal to introduce a council tax incentive payment for foster carers. It is great news that we can provide even more financial support and benefits to our fantastic foster carers across the county borough. Foster families play an essential role in our communities, opening their homes and their hearts to children who need care, stability, and support. The work they do often goes unseen, but it makes a profound difference to young lives and to society. This incentive is a practical way of recognising that contribution. It helps to ease some of the financial pressures that fostering can bring, and it sends a clear message that we value and appreciate the dedication of those who take on this vital role. By supporting foster carers in this way, we are investing in stronger, more compassionate communities and ensuring that every child can thrive in a loving home.”
