Take your first step into fostering with Calon Cymru Fostering
Are you looking into becoming a foster carer and have a few questions? Want to get a feel for our foster care agency? Take your next step towards fostering by booking an initial call with our fostering advisor to find out how you can join the Calon Cymru family. They will offer guidance and advice about the foster carer assessment process as well giving you information about the benefits of fostering with us and what the fostering experience is like. It will be an open discussion, no sales or pressure, just advice and help to get you started should you wish to.
Select a date and time using the calendar below and your fostering advisor will call you back for an initial discussion with you about fostering and answer any questions you may have.
“The person I spoke to was very reassuring on the phone, she was lovely and came across as really friendly and nice, and making that call was the scariest thing. I'm not great on the phone and to do that for me was a big hurdle, and knowing that the person on the other end of the phone was nice was just a massive tick in the box that we had done the right thing” – Calon Cymru foster carer, Lindzi
"The well-being of children is clearly central to the ethos and practice of the agency. Children participate in decisions about their care and support, they are able to develop positive relationships with their foster carers and other people who are important to them and are supported to fulfil their potential and achieve positive outcomes.''
''The country is desperate for foster carers. As a foster carer, I encourage people to think hard about changing their current role and see fostering as a positive lifestyle change. The role is not a 9 -5 job, and it's certainly only for some. Did you know that you don't have to be qualified for anything? A clean lifestyle is all we ask.''
As part of the fostering assessment process there will be numerous foster carer checks undertaken to evaluate your suitability as a potential carer. These will include a medical check, personal and professional references, and a DBS check.
How much do foster carers get paid is one of our most commonly asked questions. The fostering allowance covers the costs of looking after a child, including household expenses, food, clothing, pocket money etc. The allowance is also there to reimburse you for your time and care and to reward you for providing a loving, stable and nurturing home for a child.
There is no upper age limit, age is just a number when it comes to fostering. We need people who have life experiences with the children in your care. You must be at least 21 years old to start fostering.
Yes. In fact, some young people will be matched with you because you have pets. Animals, particularly cats and dogs, can act as a great ice breaker, especially on that first day when you and the child might be feeling nervous about them being in your home. Having an animal that could pose a risk to a child or young person would prevent you from fostering. For example, certain dog breeds that are banned within the UK.
