Twelve years into her fostering journey, Donna decided to make the move from an independent fostering agency to her local authority team in Anglesey.
As a mother of three – including a child she fostered from birth and later adopted – and running her own business, she was used to managing a busy and full life.
But after struggling to access the right support – with her agency team and the children she cared for often based far away – she wanted to feel part of something more local and connected.
Now, after transferring, Donna says everything feels different. The children she cares for are local, support is close at hand, and she’s surrounded by a team who know her well — and know the children too. They understand their needs, her strengths, and how best to support them all. Most importantly, she finally feels part of a real fostering community.
In this Q&A, Donna shares her experience of transferring, what the process was really like, and why she’s so glad she made the move to foster locally with Foster Wales Anglesey.
personal story and motivation
what first inspired you to become a foster carer?
Donna: I think the seed was planted really early on. I must have only been about seven when I first started wondering about fostering. That was around the time I found out my dad had been adopted, and I remember being so curious about who his real parents were and what his story was.
We also lived near a children’s home, and as I got older, I used to walk past it every day on my way to school. I’d see the children playing outside, and I always used to ask my dad, “Can we please foster?” Something about it just stayed with me. I wanted to help — to give children a sense of belonging and the kind of family support everyone deserves.
So really, it’s something that’s been in my heart for as long as I can remember.
how long had you been fostering before deciding to transfer your local authority team?
Donna: I’d been fostering with an independent fostering agency since 2008, so by the time I decided to transfer in 2020, I’d been fostering for around twelve years. Over that time, I’d gained a lot of experience and looked after children of all ages, but I reached a point where I wanted things to feel more connected and local. I wanted to feel part of a team and to be truly valued for the work I was doing.
what made you start thinking about moving from an independent fostering agency to your local authority?
Donna: To be honest, it all came down to feeling disconnected. The children I was caring for weren’t local, which made everyday things like the school run really difficult — some days I was spending hours in the car. The agency team weren’t based nearby either, so getting hold of someone or accessing the right support was always a challenge.
They had promised that support would be there when I needed it, but in reality, it just wasn’t. Over two years I had 13 different social workers, and that constant change made it hard to build any real relationships or consistency for me or the children. After a while, I started to realise that fostering locally would make everything easier — the children could go to local schools, the support team would actually be nearby, and I could feel properly part of a community again. That’s when I began looking into transferring to the local authority.
the transfer process
what was the process of transferring like for you?
Donna: Honestly, the moment I met with my local authority fostering team and had a proper chat about my situation, I knew I was in the right place. The team manager looked at me and said, “Right, we want you on board, we’ll get it done.”
That level of support and confidence from the very start made all the difference.
From that day on, I’ve never looked back — transferring to the local authority was the best decision for me and the children I care for.
how long did the process take from start to finish?
Donna: For me, the transfer process took about six months from start to finish. My personal circumstances changed partway through, so it ended up taking a little longer than usual, but the team were incredibly supportive and flexible throughout, which made the whole process feel manageable and positive.
how did the local authority support you through the transition?
Donna: Even while I was still going through the transfer process, right around the time COVID hit, the local authority made me feel supported and valued from the very start. I remember coming home one day to find a PPE package waiting outside my front door. I hadn’t even officially transferred at that time, but it made me feel like part of the team already. Gestures like that meant so much, and it’s something I’ve never forgotten.
differences and benefits
what are the biggest differences that you’ve noticed since transferring?
Donna: The biggest difference for me is how valued I feel now — not just as a foster carer, but also in terms of the children I care for. Everything feels much more focused on their needs rather than being business-oriented. The team is consistent, knowledgeable, and genuinely good at their jobs, which makes a huge difference day to day.
My social worker is incredibly supportive, and she really fights my corner, and that makes such a difference. Even if she’s not available, there’s always someone else at the end of the phone to help, and any issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Now that I’m a single foster carer and also run my own business, the team always ensures I have access to childcare whenever I need it during school holidays.
It’s a world away from the experience I had before, and it’s made me feel part of a real, caring fostering community.
how does fostering with the local authority compare to your experience with an independent agency?
Donna: For me, the biggest difference is how local everything is. From training to organised day outs, everything is now much closer to home. I used to have to travel long distances for training, often rushing around school hours to make it work. Organised day outs — like driving two hours there and back for a Christmas party — were also difficult to manage, especially for children who thrive on routine and structure.
Now, the day outs are local and work so much better for us and the children in our care. Having everything nearby makes a huge difference — it’s more manageable, consistent, and less stressful for everyone involved. Honestly, I’ve never looked back.
do you feel more connected to your local fostering community now?
Donna: Yes, definitely. I’ve built friendships with other local foster carers, and over my 18 years of fostering, I’ve also been able to support others who are newer to it. I just get on well with everyone, and it really feels like being part of a supportive, local fostering community.
reflections and advice
what’s been the best part of fostering with your local authority so far?
Donna: The best part has been feeling like I’m truly part of the team and that my work is valued. You know, feeling appreciated in any job makes such a difference. It’s rewarding to know that what you’re doing really matters. It feels like an extended family. We meet up regularly, the children get to know each other, and we go on days out together. They play and have fun, and it’s just really nice to see that sense of connection.
what would you say to other foster carers who are considering transferring?
Donna: I’d say definitely look into it. Don’t let the paperwork or red tape put you off — it’s worth exploring. Give it a try, because you might find it’s a really positive change and something you absolutely love.
what would you say to someone thinking about fostering for the first time?
Donna: If you’ve got the space, the time, and the energy — and you’re someone who enjoys working with people — I’d say go for it. Get in touch with your local authority and have that first chat. You can even talk about the age group you’d feel most comfortable fostering.
You do need to be a people person — someone who can build relationships and work well with others. But most importantly, you’ve got to be a good advocate for the children in your care. You’re their voice, and that’s such an important and rewarding role to have.
can you sum up your experience of transferring in one sentence?
Donna: I’ve never looked back — no regrets at all.
could you foster with your local authority?
If you live in Anglesey, contact Foster Wales Anglesey and a member of our dedicated team will be in touch for a friendly, no obligation conversation to help you decide if fostering is right for you.
If you live anywhere else in Wales, visit Foster Wales for more information and to find your local authority fostering team.
