Meet the team

The team at Fostering First carries a broad range of experience, from Children’s Services and Commercial backgrounds.

FFI Senior Management:

Miriam Uhlemann, Director

Miriam Uhlemann is the Director of FFI and has over 30 years' experience as a qualified social work practitioner and manager. Miriam is also a qualified group analyst.

Miriam has been instrumental in the development of FFI, having been with the organisation since its inception. She has successfully developed services for children and their carers. Miriam is also on the Board of Directors for the Irish Association of Young People in Care.

Rohana Reading, Assistant Director

Rohana Reading is the Assistant Director for FFI and has lead responsibility for Children’s Services (Social Work, Childcare Support, Education and Therapy).

Rohana has also has over 30 years' experience as a qualified Social Worker working in both statutory and non-statutory fieldwork and residential settings. Rohana has also been with FFI from the beginning experience of developing and sustaining new services through her involvement in the development of the North West Region of FFI, growing the service, and establishing excellent working relationships with key stakeholders.

Rohana has been a HSE foster carer and is on the Board of Directors for the Irish Foster Carers Association.

Siobhan Fitzharris, Placements and Business Manager

Siobhan Fitzharris is the Placements and Business Manager with responsibility for managing the placements, business development and carer recruitment functions within FFI. Siobhan joined FFI in January 2009 from a marketing background and also has a BA (Hons) degree in Sociology.

The FFI Team

Social Work Team Managers

Fiona Gallagher (Dublin) and Pat Melody-Dunne (Carrick-on-Shannon) and Joy Lohr (Cork), who coordinate and support the Link Social Workers in each of their regions.

Link Social Workers

Sylvia Cahill (Wexford), Margaret Conroy (Midlands), Suzanne McGettrick (Midlands), Lorraine Gaughan (North West) and Siobhan Sammon (Donegal), Oonagh Honeyman (North Leinster), Lorna Murphy (Cork), support carers in each of their areas.

Assessment Team

Grainne Slatery & Ann Robinson coordinate the assessment process of new carers, supervising independent Sessional Form F Assessors and coordinating the elements required by both FFI and HSE panels for carer approval.

Placements Officer

Taryn O’Hara, who matches the requirements of each referral with those of FFI carers to ensure the best possible placement match and also supports the recruitment process for prospective Foster Carers from first point of contact through to their application to foster.

Fostering Advisors

Olive Fitzsimons (East Coast), Marion Carroll (South East), Lynda McDonnell (Cork & Limerick) and Blathnaid McNamara (West) provide information and assistmance to potential foster carers in each of their regions.

Child Care Manager

Sorrena Megan manages the Childcare team.

Child Care Workers

John Donoghue (East) Marie Meehan, North, Richard Morrissey West & Sondra Healy (South) provide supports to FFI children and young people.

Education Officer

Claire Sweeney is responsible for finding appropriate education provision for every young person placed with FFI.

Office Manager

Moira Donnelly co-ordinates and manages FFI administrative functions of all FFI offices.

Reception/Administrator

Alzy Nagy provides administrative support and manages reception in FFI’s Dublin office.

Christina McKeon provides administrative support and manages reception in FFI’s Carrick-on-Shannon office.

Elizabeth O’Donovan provides administrative support and manages reception in FFI’s Cork office.

Fostering News

Foster Carer FAQs

Can a child I foster share a bedroom with one of my own children?
At FFI, we will only place a child in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom (unless they are a young sibling group). ... read more