During Foster Care Fortnight 2026, foster carers across Wales have been sharing the small but powerful moments that show trust beginning to grow. These everyday breakthroughs reveal how children and young people in care start to feel safe, valued and understood.
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.
A foster carer from Ceredigion, who has been fostering for more than 10 years, shared how patience, consistency and local support helped one young person begin to feel safe after experiencing trauma.
Reflecting on the early days of welcoming the child into their home, the carer explained how he initially withdrew and struggled to engage:
“He would refuse to go to school and withdraw to his room, refusing to communicate. We realised very quickly that pushing him before he was ready wasn’t going to help.”
Rather than forcing routines, the carer focused on reassurance and emotional safety:
“We didn’t insist on school straight away. While he stayed in his room, we kept gently offering drinks and checking in – just letting him know we were there for him.”
That consistent presence led to a clear turning point.
“The first real shift came when he agreed to come to school with us to talk about a reduced timetable. It might sound small, but for us it was huge – it showed trust was starting to build.”
The carer says their confidence has grown significantly over time, thanks to experience and local support through Foster Wales Ceredigion:
“I’ve learned that fostering is so much more than ‘babysitting’. Advocating for the child and understanding that the behaviour isn’t directed at you makes a real difference.”
They also emphasised the importance of staying calm during challenging moments:
“Keeping calm, avoiding confrontation and trying to understand the reason behind the behaviour has been key.”
Foster Care Fortnight is 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.
