An innovative children’s information pack designed to take some of the mystery out of becoming a fostered child has been launched by Swansea Council.
The ground-breaking booklet has been written and designed with the help of five young children in Swansea who are already living with foster carers and is aimed at youngsters just like them.
And it’s been hailed as a real boost for children who often have plenty of questions about what’s going to happen when they become looked after by a local authority.
Emma Lewis is chair of the Roots Foundation Wales, a charity dedicated to support young people who are looked after by a local authority or leaving care. She said: “The pack is extremely useful for looked after children.
“Often it is a very scary, extremely confusing and lonely time when a young person is entering the care system, who will no doubt have many questions they would like to be answered.
“For young people to know that other young children who are looked after helped put the pack together, means they won’t feel quite as alone.
“They’ll also know that others before them had the same fears and worries but now they’re are happy and contented in their new situation.”
The interactive booklet called Swansea Cares! is packed with puzzles, pictures and drawings as well as easy-to-read information to answer difficult questions about moving to live with foster carers.
The booklet was put together by the Council with five young people who are looked after. The children attended three Saturday morning workshops to come up with the ideas for the format, the pictures and the words.
One of them, 10-year-old Rees, said: “It’s great to be able to help other Children who are in care.” And five-year-old Cerys, who has a drawing of her favourite hideaway in the booklet, added: “I miss my den but it’s great seeing it in the Swansea Cares book!”
Lynsey Hughes, a senior practitioner with Foster Swansea said: “It is designed to be as accessible as possible for young people who are becoming looked after or are already with foster carers.
“Sometimes when a child is in a new place they can’t think of questions or are afraid to ask about something that’s on their mind.
“A booklet with bright, cheerful drawings, colour-in pictures and plenty of accessible information gives children a starting point and, hopefully, the confidence to find out more.”
The booklet is aimed at children aged from five to 11 and was launched at Foster Swansea’s annual Christmas party for looked after children and their foster families.
If you want to find out more about becoming a foster carer contact Foster Swansea on 01792 533200 or visit www.fosterswansea.org
