For teachers, teaching assistants, learning support staff, pastoral leads and school leaders, fostering can be a powerful and natural progression of the work you already do every day.
From the classroom to the home: skills that change lives
Professionals in education understand children. You see first-hand how stability, encouragement and positive relationships shape confidence and achievement. You know how to nurture potential, manage behaviour with empathy and structure, and create safe, supportive environments where children can thrive.
These are exactly the qualities that children in care need most.
At Calon Cymru Fostering, we have worked with many foster carers who previously worked in schools or colleges. Their experience in education gives them:
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Strong communication skills
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Patience and resilience
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Understanding of additional learning needs
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Experience supporting children with trauma or behavioural challenges
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The ability to advocate for a child’s educational progress
In fostering, those same skills extend beyond the school day — providing consistency, reassurance and belief in a child’s future.
The growing need across South Wales
While we celebrate 30 years of care, commitment and community, we are also facing a growing demand for foster carers across South Wales. More children than ever need safe, stable homes within their local communities so they can remain close to their schools, friends and support networks.
For those working in education, this presents an opportunity to make an even deeper impact.
Scott Riddick, Director of Calon Cymru Fostering, explains:
“Professionals working in education already have an incredible understanding of children’s needs. They see how important stability, encouragement and structure are to a child’s development. Foster carers provide that stability at home. The impact they have on the lives of children across South Wales cannot be overstated — they help rebuild confidence, support educational achievement and create lasting security. With the growing number of children coming into care, the need to recruit dedicated foster carers has never been stronger.”
Supporting educational success at home
Children in care often face disruption in their learning due to changes in circumstances. Foster carers play a crucial role in supporting attendance, homework routines, communication with schools and encouraging aspirations.
For someone with a background in education, this feels familiar — but fostering allows you to support a child holistically, not just academically. It’s about being the consistent adult who celebrates achievements, supports challenges and provides reassurance after a difficult day.
Many education professionals also find that fostering offers flexibility. Some choose to foster full-time, while others balance fostering with part-time or flexible educational roles.
Be part of the next 30 years
As Wales’ oldest Independent Fostering Agency, Calon Cymru Fostering is proud to celebrate 30 years of supporting children and young people across South Wales. Over three decades, we have seen the life-changing impact that dedicated foster carers can have — and we recognise that many of the skills needed to foster are already present in those working in education. If you are ready to explore how your experience in education could transform a child’s future, we would love to hear from you.
📞 Call us today on 0800 014 7331
🌐 Contact Us | Calon Cymru Fostering
Together, we can continue building brighter futures for children across South Wales — for the next 30 years and beyond.
