The Welsh Government has been consulting on changes to fostering, including whether to introduce a register for foster carers, a new enhanced allowance (fee) and embed elements of the good practice guidelines in our Transfer Protocol into legislation.
We conducted a survey and held focus groups with members to gather their views on a register and submitted our response outlining their thoughts on the benefits and challenges of introducing one.
Most foster carers were in support of a register and thought it could improve the status of foster carers, help with better matching and national data collection of where foster carers are located.
We are also pleased the consultation includes plans to embed our Transfer Protocol into legislation and specifies that all services should pay the National Minimum Allowance and introduces a new enhanced allowance (fee) for foster carers. However, we are disappointed, the code does not attempt to harmonise allowances or fees across Wales or introduce a national fee framework as exists for allowances.