FCA Cymru is changing to a
not-for-profit fostering service
FCA Cymru is committed to becoming a not-for-profit organisation so we can continue to support our foster parents and young people, securing the very best outcomes for looked-after children.
FCA Cymru to become a not-for-profit fostering agency
FCA Cymru has always been a leader in providing quality care, support, and outcomes for young people in Wales. That’s why we’re embracing new legislation and will become a not-for-profit (NFP) provider to allow us to continue to support our foster parents and young people across Wales.
We explore what this means for our existing foster parents in Cymru, and for those thinking about starting their journey with us.
What is happening?
By 2027, new legislation will be created by the Welsh Government that will only allow not-for-profit providers to care for looked after children. Ahead of this legislation, FCA Cymru will draw on 20 plus years of experience operating as a not-for-profit in Scotland and Northern Ireland to become a not-for-profit organisation in Wales too.
This change means that we will be able to continue to offer the very best support and care to our foster parents and young people across the whole of Cymru well beyond 2027.
What does the move to NFP mean for foster parents?
The simple answer is our foster parents will see no change.
This legislation change will alter the way FCA Cymru, as an independent agency, is structured, but will have no impact on the quality of the service and support that we offer to our foster parents or the young people in our care.
Since our inception, FCA has been working stronger together to build happier and successful futures for children and young people in care. The move to becoming a not-for-profit still means our ethos remains the same – putting the child at the heart of everything we do.
FCA Cymru embrace the change, and we are committed to becoming a not-for-profit organisation to continue to support our foster parents and securing the best outcomes for children and young people.
Our experience in this area speaks for itself.
FCA have offered not-for-profit services for over 20 years. We’re experienced, we welcome these changes and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional support to our foster parents and young people.
Fostering with FCA Cymru
What you can expect when FCA Cymru becomes a NFP Service:
- The same 24/7 support with your own dedicated supervising social worker
- The same excellent foster care allowances with access to our bonus and rewards scheme
- Regular placement opportunities with Welsh local authorities
- A continued child-centric approach with wrap-around support
- All the fantastic family events, activities and support groups you are used to
- The same friendly, engaged staff and supportive management team
Myth-Busting
It’s understandable to still have lots of questions about the impact of this change to your fostering family. That’s why we’re busting some myths around the change in the new NFP legislation; from misconceptions around process and support, to how we’ll work with Welsh local authorities going forward.
FCA Cymru will cease to exist as a result of the not-for-profit (NFP) changes being introduced
False. FCA embrace this change in legislation and remain totally committed to providing the best support to our Foster Parents, and the very best outcomes for the young people in our care. Parts of our community have provided NFP services for well over 20 years so this is something we are very familiar with. We’re really excited about continuing to support our amazing foster parents to change the lives of children and young people across Wales.
Everything at FCA will change after the legislation changes in 2027
Our Foster Parents will see no changes whatsoever. They will still enjoy all the amazing support they receive now. There will be no changes to training, support, support groups, benefits, finances, events or teams (or anything else).
The changes that are being introduced by the Welsh government in 2027 will alter the way FCA Cymru, as an Independent agency, is structured, but will have no impact on the quality of the service and support that we offer to our Foster Parents or the young people in our care.
Foster parents will no longer be able to look after the children they currently have in their care
False. The Welsh government have committed to ensuring that all looked after children in Wales will be cared for by the public sector, charitable or not-for-profit organisations by 2027. As FCA Cymru warmly welcomes these changes, and is fully committed to being a not-for-profit organisation, there will be no reason for existing placements to end.
Foster parents will no longer be able to accept new children from with local authorities
False. FCA Cymru will continue to work closely with local authorities to find suitable foster parents for children and young people in their care when they are not able to place them with one of their own approved foster parents.
Foster parents will now have less placement opportunities and wait longer for a child to be placed in their care
False. We’ll still maintain our close working relationship with local authorities, and will remain a trusted partner. Our services will remain in high demand across Wales which means approved foster families won’t be waiting long before they are making a difference in a child’s life.
Foster parents will be forced to transfer to local authorities
False. FCA is totally dedicated to all our foster parents and young people which is why we’re embracing this legislation change and committing to becoming a not-for-profit organisation. As such, all Foster Parents, both new and existing, will continue to enjoy the support that FCA Cymru currently provides, long after these changes come into effect in 2027.
“FCA Cymru are absolutely amazing and supported us from the start of our fostering journey. You are not in this alone, FCA is so much wider and bigger and just asking a fellow foster parent would be like knocking on a neighbour’s door. Everyone is happy to help and support where they can, another first-class team we are proud to serve and be part of.”
Ellie and Pete, Foster Parents
Speak to our team today
By Phone
One of our team is available to talk to you over the phone to answer any of your fostering queries.
By Email
One of our team is available to talk to you over the phone to answer any of your fostering queries.
Visit an office
Foster Care Associates, Ground Floor Building, 5510 North Wales Business Park, Abergele, LL22 8LJ