From the first hello to the first hug, fostering teams across Gwent are shining a light on what it really means to welcome and why it is at the heart of every fostering journey.
Foster Wales, the national network of 22 local authority fostering services, brings these teams together under a shared goal: to make sure every child in Wales can stay in their local community, close to the people and places that matter. Unlike independent for-profit agencies, Foster Wales is entirely not for profit, meaning every penny goes back into supporting children, carers and families in their local area.
Across Gwent – Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen –local authority fostering teams are united under one message: fostering is about opening your home, your heart and your life to a child or young person who needs to feel safe and seen.
This regional focus builds on the national Foster Wales Big Welcome initiative, which helps children and young people learn more about their new foster families before they arrive. The digital platform, shaped by care-experienced young people, lets children see who their carers are, what their homes are like and even what pets or hobbies they share. It makes those first moments less uncertain and more reassuring: the first step in helping a child feel that they truly belong.
“Our children told us that they wanted more information on where they were going to live, what their room might look like, whether there are pets, and what their carers enjoy doing. The Big Welcome is providing the reassurance and connection needed to get a relationship off to the best possible start.” – Alastair Cope, Head of Foster Wales
That sense of belonging sits at the centre of the Welcome campaign in Gwent. It’s about the small, human moments that shape every child’s experience: the first smile at the door, the first shared meal, the first “well done” after a big day.
Across the region, the campaign explores what welcome means in different types of fostering. In Torfaen, there’s a focus on teenage fostering, reminding us that teenagers are still kids at heart and highlighting the key moments in a teenagers life. The little boy once lining up toy cars might now be practising for his driving test; the girl who once dressed as a princess might now be choosing her prom dress. With around 150 children in care and nearly half aged 13–17, more carers are needed to offer stability, support and a sense of belonging.
In Monmouthshire, the focus on short-break and parent and child fostering highlights two growing areas of need. Short-break carers provide regular, planned stays for children who may have additional needs or whose families need extra support.
“I’ve only been doing it a few months but when my first respite foster child said to me, completely at random… ‘I feel safe here.’ It just melted my heart. I knew I was doing the right thing.” – John, Monmouthshire foster carer
Parent and Child fostering, meanwhile, helps parents and children stay together safely under the guidance of experienced carers. It’s a vital and expanding part of Gwent’s fostering work.
In Blaenau Gwent, the focus is on fostering children with disabilities or complex needs, emphasising how the right support and understanding can help every child feel capable, comfortable and truly welcome.
Foster carers Sandra and Ian offer respite for children with disabilities. Sandra says:
"We really enjoy providing respite care for children with disabilities. As parents of four children, some with additional learning needs, we have gained qualifications and now both work professionally in this field. Alongside offering stability at home, we plan our weekends to give the children experiences they might otherwise miss out on. A child staying with us naturally joins in with the activities we do as a family, ensuring there is always something fun and inclusive happening."
Across Caerphilly and Newport, fostering teams are championing the message that every form of care begins with a welcome. Whether it’s short-term care, a long-term home or emergency care, the first connection Sharon– a smile, a shared meal or a gentle reassurance of “you’re safe here” – can change a life forever.
Alongside welcoming new foster carers, Foster Wales Gwent is also encouraging enquiries from carers who may be considering transferring from independent fostering agencies. Carers who transfer are offered a warm welcome and a strong support network, with reassurance that all resources stay within local communities and directly benefit children in Gwent.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you could foster, or thought “maybe one day”, now is the time to find out more. You don’t need all the answers – what matters most is the willingness to welcome.
Find out more or enquire with your local Foster Wales team at fosterwales.gov.wales/gwent.