how we support you in Merthyr
support and allowance
how we support you
We’re here to support you. That means we’ll do everything we can to help you provide a stable and loving home for a foster child.
Even before a child arrives, Foster Wales Merthyr provides in-depth guidance and training to make sure fostering is the right fit for you and your family. But the support doesn’t end there.
Once you are fostering a child, we offer:
- ongoing guidance from a dedicated social worker
- fostering pay to cover essential living costs
- a community of local fostering families who can share experience
- friendship and social events
- 100% Council Tax reduction
- among many more benefits
It’s important to consider all of the local benefits for a better understanding, before comparing foster carer payments.
Read on to learn more about the fostering support and rewards we offer.
foster care allowance
do foster carers get paid?
Yes, foster carers receive a payment to cover the costs of caring for a child. This amount will vary based on many factors, including
- how many children you foster,
- what age the children are
- and how long you’ve fostered for
However, being a foster carer isn’t a conventional job. It doesn’t fit into a box. It’s a home-based 24-7 skilled vocation which we support you financially to do.
At Foster Wales we care about children receiving everything they need to thrive, so we split the payment into 3 parts; the weekly child allowance + the carer’s fee + additional payments.
child's allowance
foster carer's fee
additional payments
our commitment to you
Every Local Authority in Wales has signed up to what we call the ‘National Commitment’. This is an agreed package of training, support, and rewards enjoyed by every one of our foster carers in Wales.
your local Merthyr fostering team
You’re not out there on your own. You have a team to support and encourage you, every step of the way. Your Foster Wales Merthyr team works together with social workers, teachers, healthcare professionals and everyone involved in children’s care. We’re one team, because we’re all part of the Local Authority.
You’re a central part of this team, and because of this you’ll always be included, valued and respected in everything we do – and in how we move forward. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. We’ll be there
dedicated supervising social worker
You’ll have skilled and experienced professional social workers on hand, with a fostering team member dedicated to supporting you, your family and your network.
Your Foster Wales team are part of the local authority, working alongside the child’s social worker. This means access to information about the child and other social services departments and closer working links with children’s social workers.
peer support
You’ll be invited to events and activities designed to bring you closer to other foster families. From coffee support to outdoor meet-ups in the summer. All helping to give you new experiences, new friendships, and new memories.
Experienced pioneer foster carers are on hand to support you, and there’s also a dedicated private Facebook and WhatsApp group for our carers.
learning opportunities
Our learning and development framework is tried and tested, developed with foster carers and consistent across Wales. Local training courses are a great way to meet other foster carers, and we offer other resources, tools and ways to learn too.
more questions on financial support?
We'll share and explain all the support you can receive. For a full breakdown of the local fostering allowances and financial support we offer, request an information pack.
other support and rewards
leisure pass
Free leisure membership for the entire fostering household, meaning unlimited use of Local Authority gyms, swimming pools and classes. Plus free council parking in Merthyr.
council tax incentive
All approved Foster Wales Merthyr foster carers receiving an additional allowance will receive a 100% incentive payment towards their council tax bill.
pioneer foster carers
Some of our experienced foster carers have undertaken additional training in order to support and mentor other foster carers. They are our Pioneer foster carers and chances are, at least one of them will have experienced what you’re going through.
have your say
We run consultation events where all foster carers are invited. We encourage you to have your say, give feedback and help shape our fostering service in Merthyr. You are a valued and respected member of our fostering community.
social activities
Regular newsletters and support group meet-ups to keep in touch. Plus social activities for the whole family throughout the year, from pond-dipping, to bake offs, to pizza making! We have an annual foster carers celebration event too.
training opportunities
A wide range of learning and development opportunities delivered in flexible ways, including e-learning, podcasts, reading material and workshops, with a dedicated full time training officer just for our foster carers.
