PEOPLE ACROSS Wales are being asked to think about the amazing work that foster carers do on Wednesday 21 May, Fostering in Wales Day.

PEOPLE ACROSS Scotland are being asked to think about the amazing work that foster carers do on Monday, Fostering in Scotland Day.

The leading foster care charity in Northern Ireland, Fostering Network, has awarded this year’s prestigious Foster Carer of the Year Award to inspirational couple Margaret and Jackie Mc Carragher who have opened their home to more than 50 children over the last 25 years.

LESS THAN a third of the UK adult population (28 per cent) think they would be likely to be accepted as foster carers were they to apply within the next two years, according to the results of a new poll published today by the Fostering Network.

Long-term foster care can provide stable, secure and successful homes for looked after children who cannot live with their own families. But changes are needed to make it work more successfully for both foster carer and child, according to a new report by The Fostering Network, which calls for the development of stronger statutory frameworks for long-term foster care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Fostering Network Wales has welcomed yesterday's historic vote in the Senedd which gives young people living with foster families in Wales the right to stay beyond their 18th birthdays.

Leading charities the Fostering Network Wales and Action for Children-Gweithredu dros Blant today welcomed the Welsh Assembly’s decision to extend the age that fostered young people can stay with their foster carers until 21, but are seeking assurances that local authorities will receive extra money from the Government to fund young people wishing to stay with their foster families.

Following ongoing debate about staying put in residential care, since the Government in England announced that fostered young people could stay with their foster carers until 21, the Fostering Network would like to make the following comment to clarify its position:

The Fostering Network Wales is calling on the Welsh Government to ensure that the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill places a duty on local authorities to allow and support fostered young people to stay with their foster carers beyond the age of 17, ahead of a crucial vote on the Bill tomorrow (Tuesday 11 February).

The Fostering Network is calling on Assembly Members to support a once-a-generation chance to change the law so that fostered young people in Wales can stay with their foster carers until the age of 21.