Your fostering guide

The Foster Care Allowance Respite rates Enhanced Allowance Child Benefit	Relationships Behaviour Identity Child Care Arrangements Holidays Abroad Babysitting Respite If a Child goes Missing in Care Gifts for the birth family Hobbies Education Aftercare	Consent Enhanced Rights for Foster Carers Insurance Health Insurance	Change in Circumstance Fostering Support Groups Social Media and Confidentiality Disruptions Records and Files HIQA Complaints Disclosures Death of a Child in your Care Child Protection and Wefare Concerns  Out of Hours
Medical Card Smoking

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

The Foster Care Allowance

As a foster carer you are entitled to the Fostering Allowance to help with the care of the child. The Foster Care Allowance is for the benefit of the foster child. This means you must use it to meet the day-to-day costs associated with looking after a foster child. It is not a payment or salary to foster carers.

The statutory Fostering allowance rates are set by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth. They may change with the government’s annual budget. We will tell you the current level of the allowance when a child is placed in your care.

Fostering allowances must follow the child. They are calculated on an overnight basis: this means you get one seventh of the weekly allowance per overnight stay.

Please note that when you first start as a foster carer there can be a 3-4-week delay in receiving the allowance. This is due to administrators having to set carers up on the Tusla payments system. Once you start receiving the allowance, you will receive a backdated payment.  

Respite rates:

Respite foster care is when a child who is already in foster care may stay in another care placement for a short period of time, this can be to another foster carers home or to a residential care placement.

If your foster child goes into respite care, for the first 8 days you will still get the full Foster Care Allowance. Sometimes a respite placement may be for more than 8 days. If so, then the department will deduct one seventh of the allowance from the primary foster carers’ weekly allowance for each additional day your foster child is in respite care.

Things you should be able to provide with the Foster Care Allowance

• Appropriate clothing and footwear.

• Personal care items and toiletries.

• Appropriately decorated bedrooms and bed linen.

• Hobbies and sporting activities.

• Holidays and summer camps.

• Travel bags or cases (the use of black bags or plastic bags is strictly forbidden for children’s clothes).

• Pocket money.

• Special occasions like birthdays and Christmas.

• School transport.

• Other educational requirements including grinds.

• Treats and toys.

• Gifts for the birth family.

• Preparing for aftercare or college.

Enhanced Allowance

Tusla provide an enhanced fostering allowance to children with additional medical or educational needs that are not met by the fostering allowance. Professional reports supporting the need, for example GP report, are submitted to the social worker/ Tusla worker and principal social worker. The social work department then decides if it will grant this extra allowance.

The enhanced allowance is up to a maximum of double the fostering allowance.

Child Benefit

With effect from 15 May 2017, where a qualified child has been placed in foster care by the Child and Family Agency, Child Benefit continues to be paid to the mother or father for six months from the date of placement.

After this, payment will be transferred to the foster carer, provided the child has been in foster care for a continuous period of six months. An exception to this is if a foster carer or carers agrees to the placement of a new-born baby, in these circumstances the allowance immediately goes to them.

The child’s social worker/ Tusla worker will help the carer to complete the necessary paperwork for the Child Benefit payment. 

HEALTH

Medical Card:

Your foster child is entitled to a medical card. The child’s social worker/ Tusla worker  will apply for one if the child does not have one.

Smoking:

Tusla’s policy includes a duty of care to protect children from the risks of exposure to passive smoking. It is Tusla policy that foster carers should not smoke or else they should provide evidence that they are engaged in a smoking-cessation programme. Children should not be exposed in any circumstances to passive smoking in the foster carer’s home.

Relative care applicants who are smokers and who already have children in their care must commit to taking part in a smoking-cessation programme. They must also provide a smoke-free environment in their homes and in their cars.  When there is more than one person in a vehicle and a vehicle is enclosed, it is illegal to smoke where children or young people under the age of 18 are present.

Tusla ask that foster carers also do not vape in the company of children in care.

CARE OF THE CHILD

Relationships

Foster care is an opportunity to build safe, secure and loving relationships. Within these relationships, children can begin to heal from adverse or traumatic experiences they have had.

Positive relationships with care givers allow children to:

• build a secure base
• find a positive sense of themselves
• experience a healing emotional connection.

Your most important task as a carer is to build this quality, warm, safe, supportive relationship with your foster child. It will take time and understanding to forge new relationships. Children take time to trust new people because of their previous experiences. They may struggle with the changes they must now face. You need to be understanding, patient and help them manage their fears and worries so they feel secure, supported and valued.

Children who have had difficult relationships before coming into care will need time to really trust that future relationships will be safe, positive or loving.

Spending time getting to know your foster child is your main priority in a placement. Routines, behaviour management and healthy eating are all important but without the foundation of a solid relationship with you this will always be a struggle.

Your foster child will have the best outcome if you can get the relationship on a positive start as early as possible in your journey. You may find building your solid foundation means:

• building on routines
• helping children build supportive relationships
• assuring the child in your care of stability and security.

Behaviour

All behaviour is communication. Children use behaviour to communicate their wants, needs and feelings. Children who have had adverse experiences may have had to develop behaviours to allow them to survive their childhood environment or experience. These are sometimes called ‘adaptive behaviours.’

When children move to a safe place it is hard for them to let go of these behaviours. It can take a long time for a child who has experienced trauma to feel safe enough to let down their guard. Also, sometimes when a child feels safe, they may need to express distress, which in turn may be displayed through behaviours which you may find challenging.

Children can sometimes exhibit behaviour that foster carers find challenging. This behaviour can include:

• using bad language
• throwing objects
• being disruptive in the home
• refusing to cooperate with simple tasks or instructions.

Remember when managing challenging behaviour that the child is communicating something to us. If you are struggling with a child’s behaviour the social work team and other professionals will be there to support you.

To build a well-rounded, strong and robust relationship, foster carers must navigate hard emotions as well as the happy ones. As foster carers, you need to lean in and be with your foster children when things are difficult or challenging.

Guidelines on coping with behaviours that you may find challenging.

Connect

When a child is experiencing a challenging emotion try to connect with them – before children can move to place of reason or be regulated, they need to feel connected to you.  This can be done by acknowledging their feelings or the challenges they are facing, the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker may have spoken to you about what works best for the child when they are struggling with their emotions.

Stay curious

• ·      Why might my foster child be behaving this way?
• ·      What need are they trying to express?
• ·      What else might it be?

Could they be:

• ·      hungry
• ·      angry
• ·      lonely
• ·      tired
• ·      overstimulated
• ·      emotionally overloaded?

Your needs

Check in with yourself.

• ·      Are you emotionally in the right place to respond?
• ·      Do you need a moment or some help or support?

Be realistic

Try to be realistic and set goals the child and you  can reasonably achieve.

Be clear and consistent

Be clear and consistent in your approach. Make sure that everyone in the family knows what the approach is.

Each child is different

Each child has individual needs and so each response will be specific to their needs. Use the supports of your social work team and other professionals when you need them.

Identity:

Children in care come from a wide ranges of different back grounds. As a foster carer you must support the child’s identity by trying to make sure they stay connected to their:

• values
• customs
• traditions
• beliefs.

Outcomes for children in care are greatly enhanced when their ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds are:

• acknowledged
• accepted
• supported
• valued
• celebrated.

Identity also refers to a child’s or young person’s:

• sense of who they are
• ability
• sexual orientation
• gender.

Children and young people have a right to explore their identity in a supportive, loving and accepting environment. This has important implications for their:

• developing sense of self
• sense of belonging
• well-being
• developing self-confidence.

The identity of a child in care may be different from your own. You should speak to the Fostering Link Worker and the child’s allocated social worker/ Tusla worker about any concerns or challenges you may experience in caring for your foster child. You should embrace the child into your family so they feel part of the family unit.   When you celebrate difference and learn from the child you can create an environment that everyone benefits from.

Child Care Arrangements

Sometimes a foster carer may be going away or need to arrange alternative care for their foster child for a period of more than 72 hours. If you are doing this, you must tell the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker  for the child and tell them who will be caring for them.

Holidays Abroad:

We expect foster children to accompany their carers on family holidays except in exceptional circumstances that account for the needs of the child.

If you plan to holiday abroad with your foster child, please let your Fostering Link Worker and child’s social worker/ Tusla worker know the dates and destination well in advance. This allows time to apply for the child’s passport and to get consent from their birth parents, legal guardians or courts. 

The principal social worker, (PSW) for children in care will also need to complete a consent form that you may need to provide when travelling. You should keep this with all other travel documentation.

The legal status of the child or young person can influence whether it is possible for a child to leave the country. There may also be other reasons why a holiday abroad might not be in the best interest of the young person, for example:

• behavioural difficulties
• history of absconding
• health concerns.

Babysitting

Babysitters do not need to be Garda vetted, but all babysitters need to have the maturity and responsibility to care for foster children. Foster carers should make the same checks they would make when arranging babysitting for their own children. Foster carers need to attend any safeguarding training available in the local area.

If foster carers are using a regular babysitter for extended periods of time it is important to tell the allocated  social worker/ Tusla worker for the child as background checks may be needed.

Foster carers should make sure:

• they leave a contact number for the babysitter
• the babysitter knows to tell them immediately if any accident or incident occurs
• if the babysitter is sleeping over, there are appropriate sleeping arrangements in place
• the babysitter is known to the foster carer
• there are no known concerns about the babysitter in the community.

Respite

Do not confuse respite with normal family situations like baby sitting or weekends away where carers leave a child with a family member as agreed with the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker . If your foster child is admitted to hospital or another medical facility, this is not respite.

Respite care is defined in the National Standards for Foster Care as:

• ‘short-term care provided to a child in order to support the child, his or her parent(s) or foster carers by providing a break for the child and his or her primary caregivers’ (Glossary, p.72).

Not every carer will need respite. If respite will be needed, it should be a part of the child’s care plan and considered in their best interests.

If a foster family and foster child would benefit from respite, it is best if the child is cared for by someone they already know. This will minimise change and disruption for the child. If this is not possible, respite can be provided by a respite foster carer identified by the social work team.

Children should be introduced to the new respite carer and have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the respite foster family before they are placed there. However, there are exceptional circumstances where this may not be possible.

If a Child goes Missing in Care

Children who go missing from care often put themselves at risk. Carers need to get to know their child, their friends and the triggers or issues that may cause stress to the young person and lead to risk-taking behaviours. Get to know the difference between your foster child testing the boundaries in a normal way and more concerning periods of time when they are absent from your home.

Speak to the child’s allocated social worker/ Tusla worker if you have any concerns about your foster child going missing.

Gifts for the birth family:

Foster carers should make sure that the foster child or young person has a token or small gift for their birth family when appropriate at:

• Christmas
• birthdays
• Mother’s Day/  Father’s Day
• other significant events in the child’s family’s life.

You should consult with the child (where age appropriate) and work with the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker to do this.

Hobbies:

You should encourage and support children to take up hobbies or interests. Many children have interests in particular areas of life. You should help them if they wish to join local groups or activities that support their interests. This also helps to make sure children feel part of the wider community.

This mainly relates to children in longer term care who will be living with the foster carer for a significant period. 

Any financial supports arising from this should be taken from the fostering allowance.

Education:

Children in care may have some experience in their past of disrupted education. Supporting children in care while they continue their education is critical so that they have the best opportunities as they reach adulthood. However, not all children enjoy schooling or education, and many find it difficult. You need to have open honest conversations with the child’s social worker/ Tusla worker so you can find the best way to support the children in your care.

Alongside the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker for the child you will have a role in advocating for your foster child at the child’s school. The school needs to accommodate the child’s needs and to fully support them.

Aftercare:

Preparing children for adulthood is an important part of foster care. You need to give them the skills they need going into adulthood so they can prepare for their life as an adult.  We are talking about practical and personal skills.

Practical skills they will need include:

• cooking
• budgeting
• using public transport
• banking.

Personal skills they will need include:

• problem solving
• asking for help
• knowing what good relationships are.

We are responsible for supporting foster carers while they encourage children to develop these life skills as they grow up so they can reach their full potential.

Research has shown that the time leading up to the age of 18 can be a very worrying time for young people in care. Many young people fear what the future holds when they pass their 18th birthday. It is important to know that young people do not have to leave care once they reach 18 years. Many young adults remain living with their carers well beyond their 18th birthday. This stability and belonging plays a significant role in helping young people to achieve their potential.

There is an aftercare service for young people coming up to the age of 18 and when they are over 18. When young people in foster care reach the age of 16 years their allocated  social worker/ Tusla worker  will refer them to the aftercare service so they can plan for when they reach 18.  When still under 18 years, the aftercare supports them alongside the allocated  social workers/ Tusla worker , as they prepare for their future.

The aftercare service will prepare an assessment of need for a young person within 6 months of them being referred to the service. This will help them develop an aftercare plan.  The aftercare plan will be completed 6 months before the young person’s 18th birthday. It will outline the needs and plans for the young person as they turn 18 years of age. This will include needs that involve their:

• education
• health
• relationships
• social networks
• living accommodation.

For more information:

• https://www.Tusla.ie/services/alternative-care/after-care/national-aftercare-policy-for-alternative-care/

LEGAL MATTERS

Consent

The legal care status of the child determines what we can consent to relating the child. This means you need to know the care status of the child you are caring for.

Generally, the parent or legal guardian must give consent for things like:

• passport applications
• medical needs.

Medical needs can include Voluntary Consent for Admission to Care.

However, there may sometimes be a Court Order that says their consent is not needed.

If there is no parent or legal guardian, or that person is unavailable, the Child and Family Agency must make an application to the District Court. (We must do this under Section 47 of the Child Care  Act 1991.) If our application is successful, we can then authorise the relevant Social Worker to give consent.

This also applies to Interim and Emergency Care orders.

Care Order

Although it is good practice to seek the consent of the parent or guardian, we are authorised by law to consent to certain things including necessary:

• medical or psychiatric treatment
• assessment or examination
• travel
• passports.

Tusla can do this under Section 18 of the Child Care Act 1991.

Medical consent for those over 16 years of age

By law, a person over the age of 16 years can give consent to surgical, medical, or dental treatment. Consent is not needed from their parent or guardian. 

This can be done under Section 23 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. This section covers any procedure to diagnose or that is part of treatment, like giving an anaesthetic. 

Sometimes a child over 16 years of age who is in our care refuses to consent to a medical examination or treatment. We may then look for directions from the Court. To do this, the Tusla may apply to the District Court under Section 47 of the Child Care Act 1991.

Enhanced Rights for Foster Carers

Foster carers and relative carers can apply for greater independence when making decisions relating to children in care. They can do this under Section 43(A) and 43(B) of the Child Care Act 1991. To do this, the child must have been with the carers for a continuous 5 years.  this is called Enhanced Rights.

If they apply and are granted more independence when. Making decisions the foster or relative carer will then be able to:

• consent to medical treatment, including medical assessments.
• apply for passports
• make decisions to safeguard and promote the child’s health development or welfare.

This last one may include day-to-day issues relating to a child’s care like, permission to go on school tours or attend concerts.

The Act aims to normalise routine decision making for foster children. It does not replace Tusla’s statutory role in the care of children.

Insurance

Foster carers are indemnified (insured) under State Indemnity (SI) for:

• any claims for personal injury and / or third-party property damage arising from a negligent act on the part of the Foster Carer when carrying out approved activities as a Foster Carer
• a claim for personal injury to a foster child (or former foster child) due to the alleged negligence of the Foster Carer. 

Foster Carers ‘duty of care’ to a Foster Child is set out in the contractual arrangements they make with Tusla.

There are a number of State Indemnity schemes operated by the State Claims Agency (SCA). Foster carers are covered under the General Indemnity (insurance) Scheme (GIS).

The insurance does not provide cover against other risks. Foster carers will continue to need to make their own arrangements for motor insurance, property insurance, and so on.

Legally, the foster carer must report all incidents which may result in a claim to the State Claims Agency through their allocated key worker in Tusla. This must be done within a reasonable period of time.

Health Insurance

Children in care can be added onto foster carers’ own personal health insurance if they wish to do so. Please discuss this option with the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker for the child.

MATTERS RELATING TO FOSTER CARERS

Change in Circumstances

The Fostering Link Worker should be informed of any significant changes in your household. Examples of these changes include situations like:

• separation – if you and your partner separate
• if somebody joins or leaves the household
• illness or ill health matters
• if someone in the household develops an addiction issue (gambling, alcohol, drugs, pornography)
• involvement with the police
• injury
• accident
• if there is a change in employment status.

You must tell Fosterling Link Worker about any changes

If an issue arises and your circumstances change, you must tell the Fostering Link Worker so they can support you as much as they can. The Foster Link Worker will consider how a change in circumstances affects your ability to foster. The allocated social worker/ Tusla worker will also consider how changes impacts the child.

Remember: we want to keep children’s attachments with their foster carers and we will only decide to move a child if it is seen as in their best interests.

Fostering Support Groups

Fostering support groups are run in every area around the country and each one may take a different format. They are for all foster carers to attend to avail of peer support. The information shared in the support group is confidential at all times. Sometimes these groups are facilitated by experienced foster carers with the support of a staff member from the fostering team.

Foster carers also meet each other outside these groups to provide peer support.

Social Media and Confidentiality

Do not put photos of children in care on any social media platforms.

Social media platforms are how many people communicate and stay in touch with things like the day-to-day lives of their families, friends and news events. However, for foster carers it is essential that information about the children they are caring for is protected from the public domain.  

The Foster Care Regulations are clear that foster carers must make sure that any information about the child or the child's family or any other person given to them is treated confidentially.

The placement for children in foster care contract which you sign when a child comes to live with you means you must abide by this confidentiality. To assist please see our guidance document on protecting children's personal data. 

You should not share any information about the child, including their care status or about their family. Anyone doing this is breaking the rules on confidentiality. If we think anyone is doing this there will be a full investigation by the social work department.

Disruptions

‘Disruption’ is the word used for the premature ending of a planned placement of a child in long-term foster care. It is marked by a breakdown in the placement between the child and foster carers.

Sometimes things may be very difficult in a foster family and challenges may feel like they are too big to overcome. You, your family and the child need to recognise when this is happening.  It is vital to speak up and communicate what is not working at the earliest opportunity.

We may be able to help you and the child. However, it is important to know that sometimes things do not work out, despite the best efforts of all involved. When a placement ends because it is not working and the child moves to another placement this is called ‘Disruption.’

If this happens to you, remember

1. Your link worker is here to support you during this difficult time. You remain part of the team even when the plan changes. Keep communicating with your link worker and use their support.
2. You can still play a positive role by helping a child to move from your home in the most supported and sensitive way possible. Endings can be managed well when everyone works together.
3. All members of the foster family should be helped to understand what is happening. Your link worker can help you to explain this to other children in the family.

When a child must move, we ask all involved to be respectful and dignified in how the whole process is managed.  

The child’s allocated  social worker/ Tusla worker  will support the child who may experience feelings of loss and separation.

To help children end their placement with you, we ask that you make efforts to part in a way that helps the child process the move positively. For example, we ask you to please:

• make sure that their personal belongings are handled with care and respect and packed in suitable luggage (not plastic bags)
• give them memorabilia, if you have any, to allow them to remember their time with you
• make sure they have any gifts, cards, or certificates they got during their time with you. 

You can speak to the social worker/ Tusla worker  about how this may work best. It is important if possible that the move is planned.

You may experience feelings of loss and grief during this process. We are committed to providing support to foster families during this transition process.

If you experience a disruption, it does not mean you cannot go on and provide further good quality foster care placements. You may feel you would like to take a break from fostering for a period following a disruption and this is understandable. Your link worker will support you during this time. They will help you talk and reflect about what has happened. They will also help you get the support you need and help with making decisions.

Files and Records

Records are recorded information, in any form, created, received, or maintained by Tusla social work staff/ Tusla workers.

When you become a foster carer Tusla opens a file. Depending on the area you are fostering the name for the file may vary: it may be called a Fostering Link File or Foster Carer’s File. Even though the name of the file may vary, the information is kept in the same way. This file is specific to you as a foster carer and contains all the relevant information about you and your family. This includes:

• your assessment
• vetting confirmation letters
• training certificates
• records of complaints
• investigations
• foster care reviews
• outcomes forms following any assessments   
• the foster care committee
• records of supervision
• support visits
• any other information required during your time as a foster carer.

As these records contain your personal information, please see the foster carer data protection notice for further information on how and why your data is processed and to whom the information may be shared with.

Our policy is to create records that are:

• authentic
• reliable
• usable.

We create records that can support business functions and activities for as long as they are needed. Effective records management is an important part of good social work practice.

Case file

A case file contains information we keep when we have considered it necessary or appropriate, to record information following a report to the Social Work Department.

HIQA

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is an independent organisation. It has the legal power and responsibility to monitor and inspect a number of services provided by Tusla to children and young people in Ireland.

HIQA inspects foster care services using the ‘National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres and National Standards for Foster Care Services’:

• https://www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/standard/national-standards-foster-care-department-health-and-children

These standards set out how children should be looked after in foster care. As part of the inspection process, the inspectors may ask to meet with you as a foster carer. This gives you a chance to give your view of the services provided by Tusla as a foster carer.  HIQA can access foster carers files when monitoring our services to make sure we are working in line with the national standards.

Complaints

If you have a complaint, you should firstly bring your complaint to your Fostering Link Worker to see if your complaint can be resolved. You can complain verbally or in writing. 

If after seeking resolution from the Fostering Link Worker, you are still dissatisfied, you can contact a member of the social work management team, all details are available on the Tusla website.  If your complaint is not linked to the fostering department, your Fostering Link Worker will help you to contact the appropriate personnel within Tusla. They will support you in making a complaint and seeking resolution.

You can also initiate your complaint through Tusla’s complaints Procedure: ‘Tell Us’:

• https://www.Tusla.ie/uploads/content/Tell_Us_-_Public_Guide_amend(2017)_(1).pdf

Disclosures

Sometimes children in care will tell you about harmful, neglectful, or abusive experiences they have had in their lives, these are called ‘disclosures.’  If a child in your care tells you about something like this here are some useful tips.

• React calmly.
• Listen attentively in a non- judgemental open way, so they know you have heard them.
• Do not question or interview the child. If possible, remain attentive until they have finished speaking and if they are distressed remain with them until they are calm.
• Do not agree to keep any information secret, explain to them that you cannot keep secrets.
• Reassure the child that they did the right thing in talking to you and that they are safe in your care.
• Always remember it is not your role to decide whether the child is telling the ‘truth.’

Take the following steps as soon as possible if a child discloses to you.

• Write down what the child said.
• Inform the child’s social worker/ Tusla worker  as soon as possible.

If you believe that the child is at potential immediate risk, contact:

• the Duty Social Worker, or
• the Emergency On call Social Worker, if after hours, or
• if necessary, the Gardaí.

It is possible that your own children may be the first recipients of this information. That is why it is important that there are open channels of communication within the home for this information to be relayed.

It is important to let your own children know they can share this information with you.

Death of a Child in your Care

In exceptional cases, a child can die while in care. This can be due to a number of reasons, like illness or an accident.

If a child dies while in your care, you must contact:

1. emergency services,
2. the Fostering Link Worker, or
3. the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker .

We will make all support services available to you in these circumstances and will do our best to support you and your family.

Arrangements for informing birth families and legal guardians must be agreed with the allocated social worker/ Tusla worker .

If an incident like this occurs outside working hours or at weekends, contact the emergency fostering support service or out-of-hours on call service. 

The death of a child in care will be notified to a number of stakeholders who are involved in Tusla services. These include:

• the State Claims Agency
• HIQA
• the National Review Panel. 

The death of a child in care will be subject to a review by either Tusla or the National Review Panel.

Child Protection and Welfare Concerns

When a child protection and welfare concern  is made against a foster carer, the fostering link worker/ Tusla worker will give you the information you need to ensure you know how this will be dealt with. It will outline:

• what happens to these concerns
• the process that the Child and Family Agency undertakes to assess the child protection concern. 

The procedures for dealing with child protection and welfare concerns  are called the Child Abuse Substantiation Policy (CASP). You will get a booklet explaining the CASP process when you are being assessed as a foster carer. This booklet contains all the details of CASP and you should discuss its contents with your link worker if you have any questions. 

The experience of dealing with a child protection and welfare concern can be a very worrying time for any carer. It is important that you use your supports during this time. Supports may include your link worker/ Tusla worker or the Irish Foster Care Association.  If you need any more supports please let your link worker/ Tusla worker know. 

Remember the CASP exists to make sure that child protection and welfare concerns are responded to in  transparent and fair manner to protect foster children and foster carers.

Out of Hours

Tusla foster carers can contact a Tusla Social Worker outside of normal office hours.

This phone-based support service will help foster carers if an emergency arises about a child in your care. If an emergency arises then a social worker is available to listen, support and offer advice. They will agree an emergency plan with you until the next working day. They will do an emergency assessment if your call is in relation to a child protection or serious welfare concern.

The out of hours service will send a record of all calls to the EFSS to your Fostering Link Worker and the child’s social worker/ Tusla worker, if required.