Tusla has advised that various supports are provided throughout the country to foster carers who foster on an emergency basis. Tusla’s National Out of Hours Service (NOHS) has a number of foster carers who accept placements out of hours where an initial or start up allowance is provided to emergency foster carers to facilitate the purchase of a range of items required to foster on an emergency basis. Tusla has advised that when emergency foster carers receive a child or young person on an emergency basis, they are entitled to an allowance which may be used in part to purchase clothes or emergency essentials and to cover any activities that they may engage in.
Tusla further advised that emergency foster carers are also provided with specific training to help them understand what is expected, and to support them in being able to care for children and young people who are placed in a crisis, and all of the issues that might arise from this.
Tusla also provides ‘Care Packs’ to children and young people who are admitted to care on an unplanned basis. Tusla has advised that the contents of these packs were informed following consultation and engagement with children and young people and contain emergency supplies appropriate to the various age groups.
