I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.
Foster care applicants undergo an assessment and training process to establish their suitability and competence. This process has six stages
- Application
- Assessment by a social worker
- Garda vetting, medical and referenced checks, including garda checks of adult children of the foster carers living at home
- Approval by the Fostering Committee
- Approval of the ‘match’ between the foster carers with the Care Plan of the prospective child
- Placement of a child with the foster carers.
Foster carers are selected on the basis of their ability to meet the needs of individual children. In some cases a child may require a foster care placement with additional supports to meet additional needs and in these cases extra supports and respite facilities may be provided when required. The Child and Family Agency does not currently collate national data on this type of placement.
The Child and Family Agency is currently developing a Foster Care Strategy which will review all aspects of foster care provision. The development of a tiered approach to foster care is being considered as part of this strategy, including meeting the different individual needs of children in foster care. The Agency is fully supportive of the view that children with challenging needs should be placed in foster care placements.