'Supporting children to grow, thrive and succeed through fostering'

Foster carers in Gwynedd share ‘breakthrough’ moments for Foster Care Fortnight.

The first time a child laughs, opens up about their day, asks to watch a film; these are moments that many might take for granted, but for foster carers in Wales, they symbolise one thing, a breakthrough.

Children who have experienced trauma often develop ways of protecting themselves. This might include behaviour such as anxiety, emotional shutdown, intense reactions or difficulty following rules.

A national survey commissioned by Foster Wales found around 80% of carers surveyed have supported children who displayed behaviour like this. While these challenges can be tough, half of foster carers surveyed also said they noticed a meaningful breakthrough within the first six months.

Foster carers shared that these breakthrough moments were often centred around small moments of connection, but they represent more than that: for children in care, it means they have made progress, they have started to feel safe, they have started to heal, to feel loved and to feel supported following childhood trauma.

After experience, support and professional guidance, almost all carers (93%) said they are now confident responding to trauma‑related behaviour.

The findings are released ahead of Foster Care Fortnight, the UK’s largest annual campaign to raise awareness of fostering, which takes place every May. This year’s theme, This is Fostering, shines a spotlight on the real experiences of foster carers and the vital role they play in helping children feel safe.

Helen from Gwynedd, one of 120 foster carers who responded to the survey, shared her experience: She said: “Fostering, to me, is about giving a child the chance to become their best self. Watching them grow in confidence, discover their talents, whether that’s singing or playing basketball, and begin to focus on what they enjoy and do well. Over time, those moments of joy and self-belief start to replace the anxiety and fear they may have carried. Being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding.”

Menna Trenholme, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families at Cyngor Gwynedd said: “We are incredibly proud of the dedication and compassion shown by our foster carers every day here in Gwynedd. Helen’s story, alongside those of other foster carers, highlights the real difference fostering can make in a child’s life. It’s encouraging to see carers making use of the support and resources available to them, particularly when helping children navigate complex experiences such as childhood trauma. We remain committed to standing alongside our foster carers through every stage of their fostering journey, and these findings highlight just how vital strong, local support is in making a lasting difference.”

To find out more about becoming a foster carer in Gwynedd, visit fosterwales.gwynedd.llyw.cymru

This Foster Care Fortnight, you can meet your local Foster Wales team at: fosterwales.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/local-events

Notes to Editors

For more information or interview requests, please contact: communications@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

In Wales, there are 7,200 children in care. Of these, 4,884 live with foster families — supported by 3,538 foster carers (Foster Wales).

About Foster Wales

Foster Wales is the national network of not‑for‑profit local authority fostering services in Wales.

About Foster Care Fortnight

• Foster Care Fortnight™ is The Fostering Network’s annual awareness campaign
• 2026 dates: 11–24 May
• Theme: This is Fostering
• #FCF26