Posted on: Wednesday 15 October 2025
Growing up alongside foster children has inspired one 25-year-old to become a foster carer herself.
Carys, from Cwmbran was 9 years old when her parents, Kate and Darren, became local authority foster carers.
They have since provided day care for six children, respite for 30 children and foster placements for 20 others.
Having been enthused by growing up in a fostering household, Carys, who works full time, has now applied to become a respite foster carer herself.
She said: “Fostering is my normal. I’ve grown up with it and the family dynamic that comes with it. I enjoy having lots of people around and providing that environment for other children is something that feels worthwhile to me.
“It can sometimes be challenging but we have been lucky to have a lot of longer-term, positive placements and integrated the children into our family.”
This week is Children of Foster Carers Week, which aims to celebrate the role foster carer’s children play in helping foster children to enjoy family life.
Jason O’Brien, Strategic Director for Children and Family Services at Torfaen Council, said: “Some people say the potential impact on their children is one of the barriers to becoming a foster carer but many children find benefits to being a part of a family who fosters.
“Seeing life from another’s perspective can be an enriching experience that can help a child learn and develop as an individual. Children also find they can develop their own bonds with children who are fostered in their home.”
Respite or short-term foster care is when foster carers provide a temporary home for a child or young person for up to a couple of weeks.
In Torfaen, many families foster children alongside raising their own family - but with growing demand, more families like these are urgently needed.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer in Torfaen visit https://torfaen.fosterwales.gov.wales/
To hear about any local events taking place please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fosterwalestorfaen
Foster Wales is the national network of all 22 Welsh local authority fostering services, working together to build better futures for children across Wales.