Council commits to making it easier for staff to balance work and foster caring

Advertisement

Neath Port Talbot Council has committed to making it easier for its staff to balance work and foster caring by becoming a ‘Foster Friendly Employer’.

Employees who are applying to become a foster carer and existing foster carers will now be able to request paid time off up to five days per year to help them in their fostering role.

This initiative will give employees time to attend training, prepare for assessments, attend meetings, and deal with unexpected or emergency situations in respect of the child.

Councillor Sian Harris, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services, said: “This policy demonstrates our dedication to recognising the importance of supporting our employees who choose to become foster carers.

“It’s hoped that by adding more flexibility, it will also help to break the myth that you can’t foster alongside paid employment, and that more employees will consider providing a safe home to children and young people in care.

“All of our foster carers play a vital role in giving children a safe and stable home, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support them.”

Fostering-Friendly is The Fostering Network’s programme to encourage employers to support fostering, and in particular, foster carers.

The Fostering-Friendly scheme offers businesses of any size a chance to make a difference for foster carers and the children they care for in their local communities, and improve support for their own staff at the same time.

Neath Port Talbot Council is recruiting foster carers now. It has a range of flexible roles on offer including full time, short break and emergency care which can be adapted to a carer’s availability.

To find out more about becoming a foster carer in Neath Port Talbot, visit: https://npt.fosterwales.gov.wales/