HEALTH MATTERS 47 Foster care
in foster care and the placement is at risk of breaking down or where planned breaks are part of the Care Plan, a support or respite family is identified and it is essential that both families work together in the interests of the child. Generally speaking, this will be for a weekend, a series of weekends or during a holiday period.
Relative Care
When a child or young person comes into care in a planned manner, the fostering social worker looks to the extended family to see if the child could be placed with relatives. Approximately 32 per cent of children and young people in care today are in relative care, living with grandparents, aunts, uncles or other family members. The Child Care Act 1991 provides for
the reception of children into care, and all children in foster care are in the care of the State. The Child Care (Placement of children in foster care) Regulations 1995 and the National Standards for Foster Care 2003, set the requirements for the operation of a fostering service. Foster care services in Ireland are provided in the main by the HSE and by a small number of private and voluntary agencies.
THE VOICE OF FOSTER CARERS The IFCA has recently published a survey of its members called ‘The voice of Foster Carers, 2009’. This survey was carried out to explore the current issues for foster carers in Ireland today. In particular, it was designed to collect evidence-based data on the current situation regarding aspects of fostering‚ such as allocation of social workers, prevalence of Care Plans‚ and supports and services for foster carers and young people. Some of the key findings from this survey include:
Contracts The foster carers interviewed stated that they had contracts for two thirds of the 156 children in their collective care at the time of the survey.
Care Plan
Almost four out of ten (37.8 per cent) of the 156 children were in foster care with no current care plan.
IRISH FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATION, UNIT 23, VILLAGE GREEN, TALLAGHT VILLAGE duBlIn 24 TEl: 01 459 9474, FAX: 01 462 8014
IRISH FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATION
The Irish Foster Care Association was set up in 1981 by a group of foster parents and social workers who recognised the need for a voice for foster carers in Ireland. Since then, the association has grown in number and stature with a membership base that represents about half the foster carers registered with the HSE, plus social workers, child care workers, academics and others with an interests in the area of foster care. We work closely with the HSE and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on all matters relating to foster care, always having the best interest of the child to the fore. The Irish Foster Care Association believes every child has the right to a caring and functioning family. Where this is not possible with their birth family, the IFCA believes they have a right to a substitute family. The IFCA provides a forum where all those who are interested or involved in foster
care can get together to support one another, air their views and where necessary, campaign for improvements in policy and regulation. We also offer the following:
INDEPENDENT AND CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT • I nformation and guidance: IFCA staff are informed and knowledgeable in all aspects of fostering. They are available to offer information, guidance and can respond to general enquiries in relation to foster care.
• mediation: The mediation service offers professional independent support in the event of disagreements during the investigation of allegations or concerns, to ensure all parties remain constructively engaged and to facilitate the voicing of all perspectives. The aim of the mediation service is to find a compromise or way forward when there is a breakdown in communication.
• Advocacy: The advocacy service provides independent advice and feedback with regard to understanding and responding to written reports plus independent support or representation at meetings where necessary to ensure the position of foster carers is adequately represented.
• Emotional Support: Allegations, serious concerns about practice or standard of care and placement disruption can be very stressful for foster families. Telephone counselling, individual meetings and a listening ear, are an integral part of the support service from IFCA.
TRAINING The Irish Foster Care Association has a dedicated team of trainers who devise and deliver training in relation to all aspects of fostering. This training, which is delivered predominantly to foster carers and social workers, is available to all personnel who have contact with a child living in foster care. IFCA training is devised to promote best practice and partnership between the HSE and foster families, hence the training is co- facilitated by a foster parent and social worker.
SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES The association hosts an annual seminar on current issues which includes research and best international practice. In 2010, the theme of the seminar is ‘Sexuality and Young People’.
PUBLICATIONS We publish a range of leaflets and books as well as a newsletter, which is circulated three times a year.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124