New fostering initiative launched to support children and young people in residential care
Thursday 22 October 2026
Foster Wales Bridgend is launching a new fostering initiative to help children and young people currently living in residential care move into supportive family homes.
The initiative aims to provide children and young people with a sense of belonging, stability and family life, while maintaining the relationships, routines and support that are important to them.
Growing up in a supportive family environment can help children and young people build confidence, develop friendships and pursue their hobbies and interests within their local communities. A stable home life can also support school attendance and help young people develop the skills needed for further education and future employment.
As part of the launch, members of the public are invited to attend a drop-in information event at Bridgend Ravens Rugby Club on Wednesday 11 November 2026, between 4pm and 6pm.
The event will offer an opportunity to speak to members of the Foster Wales Bridgend team and existing foster carers, ask questions and find out more about the different types of fostering available, including part-time fostering.
The new initiative is particularly aimed at people with experience of supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma, and who may be able to offer a full-time foster home to a child currently living in residential care.
Children supported through the initiative may have experienced challenges such as neglect, domestic abuse or inconsistent parenting, resulting in additional emotional, behavioural or physical support needs.
Foster carers will receive a comprehensive package of specialist training, financial assistance and professional support, tailored to the needs of the child and their household.
This will include access to a dedicated social worker, an on-call advice service, therapeutic support and ongoing training to help carers understand and respond to the child’s individual needs.
Carers will also receive a weekly specialist fostering payment of £800, alongside an additional allowance for the child based on their age.
The transition from residential care to a foster home will be carefully planned, allowing time for the child and foster carer to build a relationship before moving in together.
We currently have a number of children and young people living in residential homes who deserve the opportunity to grow up and thrive in a family setting. We hope this initiative will encourage people in our community with the relevant skills, resilience and love to consider making a full-time commitment to fostering. We recognise the financial implications of moving into full-time fostering and hope this initiative will encourage people will professional experience of supporting children who have experienced complex trauma to come forward.
For more information about the different types of fostering available, visit Types of Fostering in Bridgend.
Anyone unable to attend the event can also contact the Foster Wales Bridgend team for an informal, no-obligation conversation about becoming a foster carer.