Are you interested in learning about foster care in Ireland? Join our next online information session for a unique and enriching experience with experts on the topic. Ask questions, get the facts, meet one of our experienced foster carers and learn more in this informative session - the perfect opportunity to gain insight into the foster care system in Ireland and the benefits of choosing an independent fostering agency like Origins Foster Care.
Irish foster care means taking care of someone else's child in your own home. Sometimes a child cannot live with their own family, either on a short-term or long-term basis. This could be because of illness in the family, the death of a parent, neglect, abuse or violence in the home. Sometimes it can be because the parent or family is not coping. It is always the goal that a child placed in foster care will return to their own family as soon as they can, if possible. Irish Foster Care service places these children and young people with carefully chosen, trained, and approved foster carers. Foster care provides a safe, secure and stable home environment for the most vulnerable in our society and foster carers are a core part of ensuring children who need care are cared for in a loving, home environment.
To become a foster carer in Ireland, we ask that applicants be at least 25 years of age, be a resident in Ireland, have access to suitable accommodation with a spare bedroom, and be willing to open your heart and home to a child in need. You must also complete an assessment process that includes health and Garda checks. Additionally, you must attend mandatory training to learn all about foster care, the needs of children being received into care, parenting children who have experienced trauma and other relevant topics such as the development of healthy attachments between foster carers and children.
The foster care system in Ireland provides a wide range of support structures, including ongoing training and development programmes to strengthen and support foster carers as well as a fostering allowance to support the needs of a child in care. In addition, all Origins foster carers have a dedicated social worker known as their 'link worker' to guide and support you on your fostering journey. Origins provides 24/7/365 support to help foster families deal with issues that may arise specific to their placement. Origins offer ongoing monthly training, peer networking groups and family days out.
The process for becoming a foster carer in Ireland begins with one of our online information sessions. This is where potential foster carers will learn all the basic information about fostering, as well as what to expect throughout their journey.
At the information session, prospective carers will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have and get more information on how to apply and what type of support they will receive from Origins once they become a registered foster carer.
Email Eithne to register your interest and secure your place on the next info session taking place on Thursday, 25 January 2023 at 11am.
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
