The numerous complex issues in fostering, such as placement endings, behavioural difficulties and responding to allegations, can be confusing or distressing for all involved. International research recognises support for foster carers as an essential component of effective alliances and outcomes for children in care (Osmond et al., 2008; Sinclair et al., 2005). The Irish Foster Care Association’s (IFCA) Support Service was developed to offer independent and professional support in all fostering situations. It aims to offer quality support during difficult times to make the process clearer and easier for all involved.
IFCA has developed the service significantly in recent years and it now serves as a resource for all involved in fostering, including foster carers, overseeing more than a thousand cases a year. Telephone support and a listening ear are a fundamental part of the service. It also assists callers in accessing a range of resources and other services.
Further to offering support at an individual level, by drawing anonymised data from all of its cases, IFCA builds a comprehensive picture of how fostering issues are progressing over time and regionally in the Republic of Ireland. The organisation uses this data in its advocacy work to highlight patterns in the foster care system, both of good ...
University of Malta, Valletta Campus, Ground Floor, Meeting Room 2 IFCO 2017 World Conference conference@ifco.infoThe numerous complex issues in fostering, such as placement endings, behavioural difficulties and responding to allegations, can be confusing or distressing for all involved. International research recognises support for foster carers as an essential component of effective alliances and outcomes for children in care (Osmond et al., 2008; Sinclair et al., 2005). The Irish Foster Care Association’s (IFCA) Support Service was developed to offer independent and professional support in all fostering situations. It aims to offer quality support during difficult times to make the process clearer and easier for all involved.
IFCA has developed the service significantly in recent years and it now serves as a resource for all involved in fostering, including foster carers, overseeing more than a thousand cases a year. Telephone support and a listening ear are a fundamental part of the service. It also assists callers in accessing a range of resources and other services.
Further to offering support at an individual level, by drawing anonymised data from all of its cases, IFCA builds a comprehensive picture of how fostering issues are progressing over time and regionally in the Republic of Ireland. The organisation uses this data in its advocacy work to highlight patterns in the foster care system, both of good practice and of areas indicating the need for improvements. And so the service operates both at a level that supports an individual who shares their story in confidence, as well as at a level that uses these individual experiences to bring about solutions at a systemic level.
This workshop will include:
Whilst the workshop will focus on presenting a comprehensive overview of our service, it is intended to be interactive in nature. We will look for the opinions and experiences of participants in terms of what they consider to be the main areas of concern within foster care in their country, as well as what they consider to be the vital components of an ideal support service. Conversation will be encouraged on the power of individual stories in comparison to collective data gathering and advocacy.
