Finian McGrath
Question:196. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if adequate support services are in place to support foster parents (details supplied). [19544/13]
View answerThursday, 25 April 2013
Questions (196)
Written answers
In placing a child in foster care, the HSE regards the welfare the child as paramount, having regard to the rights and duties of his/her parents. Each child in foster care has a social worker who visits the child in the foster carers' home and maintains a link with the child’s birth family. 90.8% of children in relative foster care have an allocated social worker while 92.2% in general foster care have an allocated social worker.
Every foster carer also has a social worker, known as a link worker, to support and supervise them. The link workers responsibilities include ensuring that foster carers receive all relevant information and advice about the children including background history, health and education. The link worker organises training, provides regular supervision and support for foster carers and their children and ensures that foster carers are aware of and operate within relevant standards, policies and guidance of the HSE. The link worker also provides foster carers with specific written information on and explanations of HSE procedures should a complaint or allegation be made against them and the supports available in such an event.
Support is also available from Public Health Nurses, psychologists and child care workers as appropriate with other professionals being accessed if necessary, for example, speech therapists, counselling services etc. Any concerns that a foster carer has about a child's welfare may be addressed to the appropriate person from the support network available to them. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in relation to the recruitment of social workers, the HSE has advised me that as of 15 April, there are currently 123 vacant posts being filled.