Useful resources and supports

Resources for families who foster

	It takes a big heart to hold a little hand A child's guide to becoming a foster family		A Bright Light Stories and artwork by children from families who foster
	Being a family who foster means supporting children who are living through many unique and sometimes really difficult experiences. Increasing our understanding of these experiences helps us to better look after and care for the children and young people who are living in foster care. The Changing Futures Website is a fantastic resource for young people made by young people with experience of Tusla services. For information to support better understanding the needs and experience of children in care check the website or watch this video

Other useful contacts for support

IFCA (Irish Foster Care Association)

The Irish Foster Care Association is the national organisation that supports foster families and the wider fostering community. IFCA advance and promote best practice in foster care through support, learning and advocacy. Membership is broad based and includes foster and relative carers, social workers, child care workers, academics and others with an interest in or who are involved in foster care.

National Helpline Service

IFCA National Helpline is available to everyone in the fostering community Monday to Friday 11am – 3pm

National Advocacy Service

 Being a foster carer is such an important role and it can bring its challenges and complexities. Using experience and expertise, the IFCA Advocacy Team can provide you with one to one individualised advocacy and support to help guide and navigate you through these times.  

IFCA Counselling Service

IFCA  supports foster carers who have been involved in complex fostering experiences or who have found that the experience of fostering has placed stress on them in their lives. Referrals to the service will be made from the National Advocacy Service to a qualified and experienced counsellor, with the consent of foster carers. The service is free of charge and confidential.

Learning & Development

Opportunities for learning and development are available to foster carers and fostering practitioners with the aim of building the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of children in care with confidence.

Branches & Hubs               

IFCA branches and hubs offer foster families an opportunity to come together in a supportive environment to learn, share their knowledge and experiences and support one another.

Policy & Advocacy

IFCA works to influence policy, legislation and opinion through its national advocacy work. IFCA contributes to consultations on key issues, with policy submissions reflecting the views and experiences of members. IFCA will keep you up to date on developments in the sector and ensure the voice and experience of foster carers is heard at the highest levels by decision makers.

Please contact the Irish Foster Care Association if you are interested in becoming a member or seek information from your fostering link worker. 

For more information please visit www.ifca.ie

EPIC (Empowering People in Care)

EPIC is a national organisation that works with and for children and young people who are currently living in care or who have experience of living in care. This includes those in:

• residential care
• foster care
• relative care
• special care
• hostels.

EPIC also works with young people preparing to leave care and in aftercare or with care experience.

EPIC is the only independent organisation providing direct one-to-one advocacy support to children and young people in care. It does this so they can:

• have their views and concerns heard
• empower them to speak for themselves
• resolve the issues and problems they raise
• help them get the services and resources they need
• bring about positive change in their lives.

The key objectives of EPIC’s advocacy services are to:

• give a voice to children and young people with care experience
• promote the rights of children and young people with care experience
• provide children and young people with information, support, and advice
• promote the participation of children and young people with care experience.

EPIC works to ensure Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of The Child (UNCRC) is being followed. It says children have a right to express their views and have them considered in all matters affecting them.

EPIC is also guided by articles 2 and 3 of UNCRC, that provide for the:

• enjoyment of rights without discrimination
• the interests of the child to be of paramount consideration.

In addition, EPIC respects and actively promotes relevant national policy and legislation that emphasize the rights of young people in care to be heard, listened to, and involved. It also promotes:

• the Child Care Act 1991
• Children First Guidelines
• the National Standards for Residential and Foster Care.

Some of EPIC’s programmes include:

• EPIC Youth Council
•  #Care Day
• Youth Engagement and Participation Programmes.

For more information on any of these programmes please contact the EPIC website.

EPIC’s head office is in Smithfield, Dublin. They also have offices in Cork, Galway, and Limerick.

Ombudsman for Children

The office for the Ombudsman for Children is a human rights institution who work to protect the rights of children and young people in Ireland. They investigate complaints about services provided to children by public organisations. The office encourages children and young people to be actively heard and respected so they experience fulfilling everyday lives.