Fostering East Wales
TACT in Wales, known as TACT Maethu/Fostering and TACT Cymru, started operating in 1996, we rented our first office in February 2000 and moved to a permanent building in September 2002. TACT Cymru grew quickly and in December 2003 split into two regional teams, East & West Wales. East Wales runs from the eastern edge of Bridgend along the length of the M4 corridor to the Severn Bridge. Much of this area consists of towns and villages that were previously coal mining communities in the South Wales valleys and in contrast also includes the cities of Cardiff and Newport.
What we do
We currently (May 2011) work with close to 60 registered foster carer households, spread through the whole of the area, and have numerous carer applications being processed. In the past, most of our recruitment of foster carers occurred through 'word of mouth' with many of our foster carers sharing their positive experiences of fostering for TACT Maethu/Fostering with their friends, families and colleagues.We also have specific recruitment campaigns which target the areas of placement need, indentified by local authority referrals. We sponsor and support youth and children's sports through local clubs. We have stalls at some shows and at the Eisteddfods.We have strong partnership relationships with the local authorities we work with. We offer very good initial and follow up training packages to our foster carers to prepare them for the role they undertake and support on-going learning and development throughout their fostering careers. Our carers are supported by an experienced, mature team of supervising social workers and a support worker. We pride ourselves on the continuity and culture we foster. We offer comprehensive support and supervision and are accessible around the clock. We add value by engaging families through carer support groups and summer and winter social events. In 2011 we are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris as well as a summer fun day. We support carers through good financial supports and structured allowances. In East Wales we have a psychological service (FACETS) that carers are supported to use to ensure the care they provide is tailored to individual children and young peoples needs. Training is provided through this and in addition to other specialist trainers, we help our young people's transition into adulthood through Staying Put arragements. We are always looking to develop our services through being open to learning and pushing the boundaries of outcomes to ensure that they are good enough for the children we care for. We are very welcoming and open to being contacted. We look forward to hearing from you.
Our carers
We currently have 41 foster carers working with us to provide care for children and young people who are unable to live within their birth families. Our carers come from a wide variety of households. We have single, married, same sex and divorced carers of all ages and backgrounds. Some are employed in other roles and may adjust work commitments according to the demands of the children placed with them. Others do not have paid employement outside of the home, finding their time is kept occupied in their role as foster carers (and often, also, as parents).
Contact
TACT Maethu/Fostering, 20 Victoria Gardens, Neath, South Wales, SA11 3BH - Email cymru@tactcare.org.uk - Tel 01639 622 320 - Fax 01639 622 333.