Foster Wales Conwy announce enhanced benefits package in drive to recruit more local authority foster carers

Foster Wales Conwy announce enhanced benefits package in drive to recruit more local authority foster carers

Foster Wales Conwy has announced an exciting new initiative to attract more foster carers, providing them with a unique package of perks and benefits.

Foster carers who foster with their local authority in Conwy are being offered up to 100% discretionary council tax reduction, free Ffit Conwy sports and leisure memberships and a choice of Conwy parking permits.

The new benefits package is aimed at acknowledging the invaluable role Conwy foster carers play in supporting local children and young people in care and expressing gratitude for their efforts and dedication.

Conwy County Borough Council has also approved a fostering friendly policy for Council staff who foster with the local authority, they can now apply for 5 additional day’s special leave.

In addition to this, Conwy County Borough Council has introduced a choice of parking permit for certain areas within Conwy. Foster Carers can choose from 6 areas within Conwy County Borough.

Cllr Liz Roberts, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Children, Family, and Safeguarding, said, “I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for supporting this initiative.  Foster carers in Conwy make a huge difference to the lives of local children and young people. These new benefits, in addition to our existing comprehensive support package, will hopefully show them how much we appreciate and value everything they do.”

"We are now looking for a significant number of new fostering families in Conwy to provide nurturing and welcoming homes for local children and young people and help the children stay in our community.

“When we are unable to find a suitable foster family within our own cohort of foster carers, we are left with no choice but to place children with foster families. “This often means moving the children away from their community, losing contact with their friends, family, school and everything they hold close.

"Becoming a foster carer with Foster Wales Conwy will mean you will become part of our fostering community, and we are delighted to be able to provide a discretionary relief in Council Tax council to foster carers as part of our package of rewards and benefits."

"We welcome enquiries from people from all kinds of backgrounds and experience.”

After sharing the news with our foster carers, here is some of the feedback they wanted to share:

“This is a brilliant incentive for foster carers. What a result! Thank you to all who have worked on securing this. It will make a substantial difference to our household”.

“Fantastic news thank you for always pushing forward for us foster carers”.

“This wonderful initiative is a positive reflection in how Conwy local authority sees fostering and I'm sure it will be greatly received”.

This incentive is on top of the range of fantastic dedicated support, generous allowances, range of learning opportunities and a brilliant community of foster carers helping to keep Conwy children living within the heart of our community

If you live in Conwy and are already fostering or considering fostering for the first time, the only way to guarantee all of these benefits is to foster with us.

If you want to discuss fostering or would like to enquire about transferring to us from your existing agency you can leave an enquiry on our website or call us on 01492 576350.

For more information about fostering in Conwy, or to make an enquiry, visit:

https://conwy.fosterwales.gov.wales/

Full details of the new benefits package can be found here:

 https://conwy.fosterwales.gov.wales/support-and-rewards/

Foster Wales Conwy is part of the national network of 22 Welsh local authority fostering teams wo have set out with the bold aim of recruiting over 800 new foster families by 2026, to provide welcoming homes for local children and young people.