We are pleased to announce that Step Up Step Down launched in Wales in 2023. Supported by the KPMG Foundation and Welsh Government, the programme offers an opportunity to dramatically improve outcomes for families with children on the edge of care. We will seek to sustain delivery beyond the grant funded period and demonstrate a scalable model for further roll out within Wales and beyond.
The Fostering Network invited expressions of interests from the 22 Welsh local authorities. We have identified Pembrokeshire County Council to pilot Step Up Step Down as part of our demonstration programme, and are in the process of confirming the second Local Authority.
Melanie Evans from Pembrokeshire County Council expressed that Step Up Step Down makes her ‘hopeful and aspirational’ for families, teams, services and communities.
The level of partnership and collaboration within Step Up Step Down between The Fostering Network, Local Authorities, families and communities is an example of excellence. Commitment from the fostering team, safeguarding and family support teams, foster carers, parents and the children and young people themselves is essential for the programme is to be of real value.
Cascade will undertake a formal evaluation of the programme, and we are excited to trial the For Mi app as a key part of our data gathering and reporting processes.
Get in Touch
If you would like more information on the programme itself or the expression of interest process, please get in touch by contacting [email protected] or the Programme Manager, Rhian, on [email protected].