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.

Fiona Gallagher, Quality & Performance Manager

Fiona Gallagher is the Quality & Performance Manager who oversees the carer review process and ensures the quality of Form F assessments are in line with statutory and agency requirements and the FFI Group of Companies’ Vision and Values. In addition to this, Fiona is also responsible for overseeing the workings of our 3 fostering committees.

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

Pat Melody-Dunne is the Social Work Team Manager in the North region and Nora Ni Thuama is Social Worker Team Manager in the South region. Their role involves coordinating and supporting the Link Social Workers in their regions.

Link Social Workers

The FFI Link Social Worker who support our foster carers are: Sean Edmonds, Oonagh Honeyman, Eric Plunkett, and Joanna Seery, Margaret Conroy, Suzanne McGettrick, Lorna Murphy and Lorraine Sinnott

Assessment Team

Ann Robinson coordinates 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.

Assessment Administration

Alzy Nagy and Shauna Martin provide administration support to the assessments team for all applicants in the assessment process

Placements Officer

Taryn O’Hara, who matches the requirements of each referral we receive with the skills and experience of our carers to ensure the best possible placement match is found for each child referred to FFI.

Fostering Advisors

Barry Ward, Lynda McDonnell and Blathnaid McNamara provide information and assistance to potential foster carers who are interested in learning more about becoming a foster carer.

Child Care Workers

John Donoghue and Naomi Jackson provide support to FFI children and young people.

Education Liaison Officer

Claire Sweeney is responsible for finding appropriate education provision for children and young people placed with FFI.

Office Manager

Moira Donnelly co-ordinates and manages FFI administrative functions.

Reception/Administrator

Charlotte Meechan provides administrative support and manages reception in our Dublin office.

Fostering News

Foster Carer FAQs

Would previous convictions prevent someone from fostering?
A previous criminal conviction would not necessarily disqualify you from fostering; it would depend upon the nature of the conviction and when it occurred. It is standard for us to check Ga... read more