What support will I receive?

FFI’s approach to foster carer support is based upon the belief that 'everybody is responsible for the child, and for the foster carer.'

We therefore introduce a small team of professionals to work closely with and provide support to foster carers children and young people in care.

This may come in the form of therapeutic support, educational support, or other forms of general foster carer support and assistance that benefits our foster carers and children and young people in care.

We believe that we can continually learn from each other and, by keeping teams small, we can develop strong relationships, build trust, and find imaginative and creative responses to the needs of the children and young people in care through a wider fostering support network.

Supporting FFI foster carers

We provide the following support services to our foster carers:

FFI Support worker - 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year
FFI Social Worker - frequent visits and regular telephone contact from an experienced FFI Link Social Worker
Respite - up to 21 nights paid respite per year
Financial support - excellent foster care financial support packages that value the skills of the foster carer
Education Liaison Officer - supporting foster carers in negotiating with schools and promoting the child’s educational needs
Childcare workers to work with the children and young people, especially if they are not attending school
Therapist - available for consultation and specialist training
Regular support group meetings involving other foster carers to share their experiences and knowledge
A comprehensive foster carer training programme
Organised activities - for the foster carer, their family and the children and young people
Membership of the Irish Foster Care Association

What support will I receive?

Supporting FFI foster carers

Shortage Of Carers

Fostering News

Fostering Events