Flintshire foster carers welcome Welsh Government’s profit-free care plan

Foster carers in Flintshire have welcomed Welsh Government plans to phase profit out of children’s care, a move aimed at ensuring more young people remain in their local communities.

The Health and Social Care Bill, which begins its legislative journey this Care Day (21 February), makes Wales the first UK nation to remove profit from both residential and foster care.

Foster Wales’ Staying Local campaign, led by care-experienced people and local authority foster carers, highlights how the reforms will help children stay connected to their schools, friends, and communities.

Currently, 85 per cent of young people placed with local authority foster carers remain in their area, compared to just 31 per cent of those in commercial placements. Seven per cent of children in profit-based care are moved out of Wales entirely.

Sue, a foster carer from Flintshire who has been fostering with Foster Wales Flintshire for five years, said keeping children local is essential.

“We have been fostering with our local authority for a number of years, and keeping children who can’t be with their families local is very important to them and to us as foster carers,” she said.

“Keeping our foster children near their friends, school and siblings ensures they retain their identity within the community. They have already experienced so much loss and upheaval, so staying in familiar surroundings helps them keep a sense of belonging.”

Flintshire County Council currently has 83 foster families, caring for some of the 260 children in the county’s care system. Foster Wales aims to recruit over 800 new foster families across Wales by 2026.

Sarah Grant, Children’s Services Manager at Flintshire County Council, said: “Local authorities such as Foster Wales Flintshire operate on a non-profit basis, which means that every pound spent is directed entirely towards the well-being of children and young people in our community.

“A key part of this mission is helping them remain in their local area, where they can stay close to family members, attend the same school, and maintain friendships that protect their identity.”

She encouraged anyone considering fostering to contact Foster Wales Flintshire, adding: “We strive to create an environment where young individuals can thrive and grow, demonstrating our commitment to their well-being and development.”

For more information about fostering, visit: Foster Wales Flintshire.