Foster Wales Carmarthenshire launch new Fostering in Llanelli campaign

Foster Wales Carmarthenshire are proud to announce the launch of a new campaign, Fostering in Llanelli, with the core message:

Local foster carers for local children. Start your journey.

Fostering in Llanelli is a dedicated campaign in response to the rising numbers of children and young people in foster care in Carmarthenshire who come from Llanelli.

Recent data shows that 76% of children and young people currently in foster care in Carmarthenshire are from Llanelli (2023-2024 figures). Yet, many children and young people are placed outside of their hometown due to a shortage of local foster carers.

The aim of the campaign is to increase recruitment of local foster carers in Llanelli and to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people by ensuring they maintain strong links to their local community.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Children and Families, Cllr. Jane Tremlett, said:

This campaign is about giving our children and young people the best possible start in life. By recruiting more local foster carers in Llanelli, we’re helping children and young people stay close to their schools, friends, and families, and supporting our wider social care goals.”

The campaign will tackle common misconceptions that often prevent potential foster carers from enquiring. For example, many individuals believe that they don’t have the right skills, that their lifestyle isn’t flexible enough, or that they wouldn’t get enough support to foster.

Foster Wales Carmarthenshire wants to challenge those misconceptions, reassuring potential foster carers that full training and support are provided and that people from all walks of life can foster.

While Llanelli is the key focus for the campaign, the urgent need for foster carers across Carmarthenshire remains, and recruitment efforts are ongoing county-wide.

Anyone interested in fostering is encouraged to attend an in person event to meet the team, ask questions, and find out how fostering could fit into their lives.

A media pack of resources is available for organisations who would like to support the campaign. For access, please contact: marketingandmedia@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.

To learn more about fostering or to start your journey, visit Foster Wales Carmarthenshire.