Download These Apps If You’re Looking to Begin Foster Care in Wales

Becoming a foster parent and providing foster care in Wales is an exciting and rewarding experience. If you are already providing foster care in Wales, or helping to provide foster care support, you will know that technology can play a significant role in the day to day running of your fostering household.  

A great example of how technology helps us to keep children safe is through our innovative new database system called intuitive care. This system helps us, and foster parents manage daily responsibilities, keep records, preserve memories, and access support.  

Foster Care in Wales in A Digital World

At Family Fostering Partners, we encourage prospective foster parents to take advantage of the resources available to them, including the use of helpful free apps.  

We’ve always prided ourselves on our ability to adopt new technologies. This is in tandem with keeping everyone involved in providing foster care in Wales abreast of the latest developments and best practices through our internet safety training courses consequently, we thought it would be beneficial to everyone working in foster care in Wales to list some apps which we have found of use.  

How Technology Plays a Part in Foster Care Support: 

In today's digital world, technology is an essential tool for those providing foster care in Wales. From staying organised with a scheduling app, or utilising our private support groups on Facebook, foster parents have access to a wide range of resources. Such technology is an extension of the more traditional forms of foster care support that we provide.  

Technology can also play a pivotal role in staying connected with social workers, teachers, and support networks—ensuring that foster carers feel fully supported whilst they provide foster care in Wales. 

Foster Care Support Apps To Download 

If you're looking to start your fostering journey in Wales, these apps are handy practical tools which is in addition to the more traditional foster care support that we provide all of our foster parents: 

• WhatsApp: WhatsApp is invaluable app for foster parents to maintain quick and secure communication with social workers and link workers.  

At Family Fostering Partners we understand that the life of those providing foster care in Wales is a busy one, so setting up WhatsApp groups allows quick communication using a secure platform.  

With WhatsApp’s group chat and calling features, it’s easy to keep everyone updated, helping those providing foster care in Wales to feel well supported. Additionally, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption provides added peace of mind regarding privacy and data protection.  

• Google Calendar: Managing appointments, foster care support groups, training, school events, and other extra-curricular activities can feel challenging, however, apps such as Google Calendar makes it easier. With the ability to set reminders and share calendars, those providing foster care in Wales can keep organised and stay on top of the schedules of the children in their care.  

• Family Link: For foster parents of children who use the internet, Family Link is a great tool. It allows those providing foster care in Wales to monitor screen time, set limits, and see a child’s activity on their device. By setting digital boundaries, foster carers in Wales can promote responsible technology use and ensure internet safety. 

• Camera App: The built-in camera app on most phones is more than just a tool for taking photos. For foster parents in Wales, or those providing foster care support, capturing these memories helps document a child’s journey by celebrating milestones big and small. Photos can be kept in memory boxes, albums, or used in life story work to help a child build a sense of identity and belonging.  

“Making memories is really important, and memory boxes are so important to these young children that come into our family.  We will remember things that we've done, but these children will forget, and they can look back in years to come, see all of the lovely things we have done. It helps them to form their identity.” explains Bella, a foster carer in Wales with Family Fostering Partners.

• Facebook: In addition to these apps, our closed private Facebook group for foster parents is a fantastic foster care support tool.  

Our private Facebook groups provide a safe space for our foster carers in Wales to connect, share experiences, and seek advice from others who know first-hand the unique challenges and joys of fostering. 

Through this group, those providing foster care support in Wales with FFP can ask questions, access valuable resources, receive foster care support, and stay informed about upcoming events and training sessions. 

In addition to receiving advice and foster carer support, such Facebook groups are a fantastic platform to celebrate in each other's success. Click here to learn more about the peer support we provided to our foster carers in Wales.  

Internet Safety for those providing Foster Care in Wales

One of the most significant concerns for foster parents today is ensuring that children are safe while using the internet. At Family Fostering Partners, we understand the challenges of raising children in a digital world. That’s why we provide internet safety training as part of our foster care support services. This training equips foster parents with strategies for monitoring online activity, setting appropriate boundaries, and educating children about staying safe in the digital space. 

By combining the right apps with essential knowledge about internet safety, those providing foster care in Wales can create a balanced and secure environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. 

Conclusion 

Starting to work in foster care in Wales is an incredibly fulfilling journey, but it's essential to have the right support along the way. By utilising helpful apps and embracing technology, foster parents can stay organised, connected, and prepared.  At Family Fostering Partners, we are committed to providing foster care support, including internet safety training.  

If you’re interested in learning more about how to begin your role working in foster care in Wales by becoming a foster parent, then please reach out to us.  

You can use our live chat feature in the bottom right of your screen to be connected directly with a member of our team. Alternatively, click on the corresponding links to book a call, request an information booklet, or complete our application form.