The first time a baby relaxes into a cuddle. The moment a withdrawn child begins to seek comfort. A routine that finally feels calm.
For foster carers in Swansea, these small moments can be the clearest sign of something much bigger — a child starting to feel safe.
Sarah Motley, who fosters babies and infants on a short-term basis with Foster Wales Swansea, has described what those breakthroughs mean in practice.
She recalled caring for a baby who arrived “very quiet and withdrawn” and said the first day was worrying because the child “didn’t cry or seek comfort, which felt unusual and quite worrying for a child that age.”
Over time, with a calm and consistent approach, she began to see small but important changes. “They slowly became more responsive and eventually began to seek comfort,” she said. “The first time they relaxed into a cuddle was incredibly special — it felt like the moment they realised they were safe and could trust.”
A national survey commissioned by Foster Wales found around 80% of foster carers have supported children displaying trauma-related behaviours such as anxiety, emotional shutdown or intense reactions. Half said they noticed a meaningful breakthrough within the first six months, while 93% said they are now confident in responding to trauma-related behaviour.
Sarah said fostering has deepened her understanding of why children come into care and challenged some of her previous assumptions, giving her “greater compassion for both children and their birth families.” She said the support available through Foster Wales Swansea — including a dedicated social worker, training, and a community of other fostering families — is essential.
“Fostering can be both rewarding and challenging, and knowing there is always someone to guide and reassure you makes a huge difference,” she said. “There is also a wide range of training available, both online and in person, which I really value.”
Foster Wales Swansea is keen to dispel some of the common myths that put people off — you don’t need to own your home, be in a relationship, or give up work to foster. More than 140 local families currently foster with the service, and no two are the same. There is no upper age limit, and anyone who is an adult with the right commitment and maturity can apply.
Foster carers in Swansea receive a weekly child allowance ranging from £246 to £298 depending on the age of the child, which covers the child’s food, clothing and other needs. A separate carer’s fee is also paid on top to recognise the time, skills and experience involved — fostering is not a conventional job but a round-the-clock skilled vocation.
Foster Care Fortnight — the UK’s largest annual campaign to raise awareness of fostering — runs throughout May, with this year’s theme, This is Fostering, shining a spotlight on the real experiences of carers and the vital role they play.
Julie Davies, Swansea Council’s Head of Child and Family Services, said the council was proud of its foster carers and urged anyone thinking about fostering to get in touch. “There are many highs and there are lows to fostering and Foster Wales Swansea is absolutely committed to supporting our amazing foster carers on this journey,” she said.
Sarah’s message to anyone considering the role is simple. “You don’t have to have everything figured out — just being open to that first conversation is a great step,” she said.
The Foster Wales Swansea team will be at the following locations during Foster Care Fortnight: Morrisons Morfa on Tuesday 12 May, 9am–4pm; Little Man Coffee (SA1) on Wednesday 13 May, 10am–12.30pm; Singleton Hospital on Thursday 14 May, 11am–3pm; Tesco Fforestfach on Tuesday 19 May, 10am–3pm; and Y Storfa Library on Wednesday 20 May, 10am–1pm.
Anyone interested can also find out more at swansea.fosterwales.gov.wales.
