A programme helping children remain safely with their families has received national recognition.
The Fostering Network's Step Up, Step Down (SUSD) service, delivered in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council, has been highly commended and came runner up at the national Social Care Accolades recently, for its outstanding work supporting children, foster carers and birth families.
The programme provides practical and therapeutic support, including parenting programmes, mentoring, supervision and community-based activities, helping families build resilience and reducing the need for children to enter care.
Since launching in Pembrokeshire, the service has supported more than 30 parents and carers and 43 children and young people.
Originally funded by the Welsh Government and The KPMG Foundation following a successful pilot in Northern Ireland, sustainability planning has ensured this valuable support can continue beyond the initial funding period.
Chris Frey-Davies, Head of Children's Services for Pembrokeshire County Council, said:
“This award is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved, particularly our foster carers, whose compassion, skill and commitment have been instrumental in supporting children and families through challenging times.
“The Step-Up, Step-Down approach reflects our philosophy in Pembrokeshire that, wherever it is safe and, in a child's best interests, children should be supported to remain with their families and communities. By building on families' strengths and providing the right support at the right time, we can achieve better outcomes for children while keeping important relationships and local connections intact.
“This recognition highlights the positive impact of a collaborative, strengths-based approach that is helping more families stay together and thrive.”
Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, added:
“It is fantastic to see the positive impact the programme has on reducing the need for children to enter the care system, helping families stay together and improving the lives of those children is at the heart of this work. Congratulations to all involved.”
