Regions We Cover in Wales
Select a region below to learn more about the localised support we provide to our foster parents in Wales.
Find Us In Wales
Clwyd Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
Dyfed Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
Gwent Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
Gwynedd Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
Mid Glamorgan Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
Powys Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
South Glamorgan Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
West Glamorgan Fostering Services
Learn more about the support we offer to our foster parents in this area including training, support groups, coffee mornings and much more.
Who Can Foster in Wales?
We work with people from a wide range of backgrounds – single, married, working or retired.
There are a few essential requirements:
· A spare bedroom: every child needs their own private space
· Age: you must be at least 21 years old
· Residency: you must have the right to live and work in the UK
You don’t necessarily need to drive. You don’t need formal childcare qualifications – we provide the training and support you’ll need. And we actively welcome people from all cultural backgrounds, faiths and communities.
Financial Support & Fostering Allowance Wales
Fostering is a professional commitment, and the financial support reflects that.
· Weekly professional allowance: typically, around £482 per week
· Enhanced payments: up to £800 per week depending on the needs of the child or sibling group
· Tax benefits: fostering income is treated differently by HMRC, giving you a fixed tax exemption of £19,690 per year, plus an additional weekly tax relief for every child in your care
· Overall income: at the higher rate of £800 per week, foster parents in Wales can earn up to £41,600 per year, which may be completely tax-free depending on their circumstances.
We’ll always be clear about what you can expect financially, so you can make an informed decision.
Events
Join Our Live Digital Q&A Sessions.
Learn all you need to know about foster care and what is required in our live Zoom Q&A sessions.
How to Become a Foster Parent in Wales
We aim to complete the fostering assessment in 4–6 months – thorough but not unnecessarily drawn out. Here’s what happens:
- Enquiry – speak to our Wales team or one of our Recruitment Ambassadors
- Home visit – an open conversation about your circumstances and what fostering involves
- Assessment & training – you’ll work with a dedicated social worker and begin therapeutic training
- Panel – your assessment is reviewed by an independent fostering panel for approval
- A Home for a Child – you’ll work with our Family Finding team to match with a child and begin your fostering journey
The Need for Foster Parents in Wales
There is a significant and growing need for foster parents across Wales – including Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Powys and Glamorgan. Far too many children are waiting for a safe and loving place to call their home. We need Life Changer foster parents ready to step into these roles.
- Short-term fostering: providing a steady anchor during a time of transition
- Long-term fostering: committing to a child’s future until they reach adulthood
- Disability and complex needs fostering: taking care of children with significant challenges
- Parent and child fostering: caring for infants as well as their parents. This is a major area of demand in Wales
- Fostering siblings: ensuring brothers and sisters can stay together
Local Support & Community
When you foster with Compass, you’re not doing it alone. You become part of a professional community of Life Changers – supported by experienced social workers, local peer networks and regular reflective supervision.
That support matters. Because fostering is not about getting everything right. It’s about having the right people around you when things are difficult.
Committed to Quality
CIW are the inspection body within Wales. They register, inspect and take action to improve the quality and safety of services for the well-being of the people of Wales.
At Compass we are committed to our future in Wales, fostering in line with the Welsh agenda. We will continue to support children to have strong futures full of strength and opportunity. We are proud of our Integrity and will work with courage and care to deliver this model.
You can view our Publishable Annual Return by clicking here.
Your Senior Compass Fostering Wales Team
Meet the key members of our team dedicated to fostering success:
Hellen Taylor
Head of Fostering
Paul Cryer
Operations Manager
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Fostering isn’t easy. But it’s one of the most important things you can do to transform the life of a child. If you’re ready to explore whether fostering could be right for you – and want to do it with a team that will have your back – we’d like to hear from you.
Fostering in Wales — Compass FAQs
The Fostering Basics
What fostering services do you offer?
We offer traditional fostering roles, including short-term and long-term care, parent and child fostering and “sleepover care” (respite care).
Which local authorities do you work with?
As a leading fostering agency in Wales, Compass Wales is a Pan-Wales service. We work closely with all local authorities across the country to provide safe families for children.
The Fostering Journey
Where will my training take place?
Face-to-face training takes place at our North and South Wales offices located in Wrexham and Cardiff. We utilise local community venues within an appropriate travel distance for our foster parents. Training and development can also be undertaken remotely from your home via Teams.
Do I need to be able to drive?
No, being a driver is not a prerequisite; we currently have active foster parents in the region who are non-drivers. We will work with you during your assessment to identify how we can overcome natural travel barriers, such as facilitating the child’s attendance at family time.
How long does it take to be approved?
The fostering assessment process typically takes around 4 to 6 months to complete, concluding with your approval at our fostering panel.
Once approved, how quickly can I welcome my first child?
We generally aim to match available foster parents within the first 4 to 8 weeks, and sometimes up to 12 weeks. Ensuring the match is thoroughly robust for both the family and the child remains our primary focus to avoid disruption.
How does the matching process work and will I have a say?
Our matching process is based on a model of co-production where we try to bring the child to life as a person, rather than just looking at them on paper. You will have an active role in the decision-making and are consulted throughout the process. Foster parents always have the opportunity to decline a match to ensure it is the right fit.
Professional Support & Practicalities
How often do I need to visit?
Attending the office is not a mandatory requirement, especially since annual reviews have moved to an online platform. Office visits are actively encouraged; we love when foster parents drop by for a chat or attend agency events to promote our fostering community.
Who supports me out of hours?
We provide out-of-hours support 365 days a year, 24/7, operating through our Central Western Wales region hub. Our weekly updates, sent every Friday, list the specific names of the local social workers who will be on call for the weekend.
How often will my Supervising Social Worker visit?
Our social workers are based locally and travel to all parts of Wales. For newly approved foster parents, visits are fortnightly for the first three months, or until a child joins the family. Following that, minimum monthly visits of about an hour and a half take place for supervision, along with weekly phone calls and two unannounced visits per year.
What support is available for more complex situations?
We offer specialist educational groups and performance development. Our most vital resource is our therapeutic service, with three therapeutic practitioners permanently aligned specifically to the Wales region. These practitioners actively offer support at any time, without waiting for a crisis to occur.
Community, Events & Networks
Will there be other Compass foster parents near me?
Our South Wales region currently has the largest concentration of foster parents, and our North Wales households are actively expanding. We ensure no one feels isolated by matching you up for telephone support if there are no immediate fin your local community. We provide blended online and face-to-face support groups.
Do you offer mentoring or buddy support?
Yes, we operate a dedicated “Carer for Carer” provision where an experienced Wales foster parent will support you 8 weeks before your fostering panel and 4 weeks after. We have Carer Ambassadors to provide ongoing peer-to-peer support. We can match you with specialists if you are supporting a young person with specific challenges.
What local events do you run?
We celebrate St David’s Day with local brunches and mark Santes Dwynwen (Welsh Valentine’s Day). We also attend both the Eisteddfod and Tafwyl festivals and are proud to honour significant commemorative days in Welsh history, such as Aberfan.
How do you support diverse families and communities?
We ensure materials can be translated into languages of choice, such as Welsh or Polish. We guarantee children have access to places of worship and specific dietary requirements. Staff and foster parents proudly attend Cardiff Pride every year, immersing ourselves directly in the event to chat with the public and break down the barriers preventing same-sex couples from realising they can absolutely foster.
