Can you see yourself as a Foster Carer?

TLC Wales recruits and supports foster carers solely to specialise in caring for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex medical needs. Our children can have sensory impairments Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), PICCA, have a visual or hearing impairment, have a terminal illness or be in need of palliative care,  Late Infantile Battens Disease, Downs Syndrome, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Attachment Disorder, PTSD as well as a range of other needs which lead to developmental delay and/or complex medical needs.

We believe children and young people with disabilities to be amongst the most vulnerable in society. By providing nurturing, secure family placements for them, they will have the opportunities to develop trusting relationships, be safe and reach the best possible outcomes in terms of care, education, health and social inclusion.

TLC expects its carers to relate to children and young people in their care with dignity and respect. Therefore, we train our foster carers in different methods of communication in order to provide a child-cantered approach. We ensure that all information sharing is meaningful and that, wherever possible, the child is at the centre of discussions regarding their care plans.

What is important

• You have plenty of time and space in your life to care for a child or young person with a disability or complex medical need

• You have lots of energy and the ability to demonstrate a mature, responsible attitude

• You have the skills to work as part of a team

• You can show lots of kindness and understanding

• You can provide a stable and secure home

• You relate well to children and young people

• You are committed to training on a regular basis

• You consider yourself flexible and patient, as fostering can be both demanding and rewarding and it helps to have a sense of humour

• There is an expectation that you will have your own transport and be willing to take children to appointments and for contact