Are you considering becoming a foster carer? Our upcoming free information session will provide all the details you need to know about fostering in Ireland. From the types of foster placements, responsibilities and benefits of being a foster carer, this is an opportunity to have all your questions answered, learn more about the process, and hear directly from a foster carer about their experience as a foster carer with Origins Foster Care.
Check out the information below to learn more about foster care and if you want to find out more, click the button to sign up for our next information session.
Fostering is when a couple or individual provides a nurturing home to children and young people who are unable to live with their birth parents. There are various types of fostering, such as short-term foster placements, long-term placements,respite placements, and emergency placements. Each type of fostering has different roles and responsibilities, these will all be discussed in detail during the info session.
The requirements for foster carers are set out in the National Standards for Foster Care 2003, Foster Care Committee Policy, Procedures and Best Practice 2017 and the National Fostering Assessment Framework 2015; all of which are underpinned by the Child Care(Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995.
In general, we ask that applicants be 25 years or over, have a spare bedroom in your home and have availability and time to care for a child. You must also be a resident in Ireland.
Becoming a foster carer can be extremely rewarding, but it can also come with its challenges. It’s important to know that Origins Foster Care will be there for you when you need help.
Our team of experienced professionals is available to provide guidance, support, training, and resources to ensure that you have the best possible experience with your foster care journey. Additionally, as a foster carer, you will be assigned a senior social worker who will provide ongoing support and advice. We also have a 24/7 on call number, which means you can speak to a professional social worker at any time or day.
The first stage of applying to be a foster carer is to complete our Apply to Become a Foster Carer form on our website. You will then be contacted by our enquiry team who will discuss your application with you and provide you with our Guide to Fostering. You will also be invited along to one of our information sessions.
Following this, if you still wish to proceed, we will come out to see you in your home to find out more about you and for you to find out more about Origins and fostering. After this a decision is then made on whether or not you proceed to our Foundations for Fostering (FFF) training.
FFF training is conducted over 3 days and it provides with a thorough understanding of what fostering is, the types of children who require foster placements, the types of parenting required, how trauma impacts children’s development and an oversight of the process and the supports offered. After this training if you still wish to proceed we invite you to complete our application form.
The application form gives Origins consent to start processing the checks required to become a foster carer. These include medical and police checks, reference checks and home visits to name a few. You are allocated a social worker who will conduct home visits when undertaking your assessment. Once the assessment visits have been completed, you will be informed whether or not you have been successful in being approved as a foster carer. Visit our Become a Foster Carer page to learn more about fostering in Ireland including criteria for applicants and types of foster care.
Becoming a foster carer can be hugely rewarding, allowing you to make a positive impact on the life of a child or children in care. As a foster carer you will be able to help children and young people in your local community, giving them the opportunity for a brighter future. Additionally, when you foster with Origins, we make sure that are regular opportunities for personal development, connection with other carers, and learning.
Email Eithne to register your interest and secure your place on the next info session taking place on Wednesday, 22 Feb 2023 at 1pm.
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
