About IFCA
The Irish Foster Care Association (IFCA) was formed in 1981 by a group of foster carers and social workers. The Association offers its members support and information and keeps them up to date with regard to changes in the law in relation to foster care. We lobby with the Dept. of Children & the HSE on all issues in relation to the best service for children in care. IFCA provides general information for callers inquiring about becoming foster carers and to students from junior certificate to university level. We also provide information to Families with Children in Care.
The Irish Foster Care Association works in partnership with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to promote foster care as the best alternative for children who cannot live with their own families. The Association provides situations where all those who are interested in foster care can get together to support one another, air their views and where necessary, campaign for improvements in the regulations.
We support all foster parents/carers and relative carers in Ireland who contact us for advice, support and guidance on all issues in relation to foster care.
IFCA has developed training programmes for the training of prospective foster parents/carers and training modules for the in-service training of active fostering families, social workers, child care workers and other HSE personnel.
IFCA has volunteer and employed support workers that support foster parents/carers who have allegations made against them, this support varies from telephone calls to attendance at meetings, help in letter writing, mediation with social workers or other HSE personnel and lobbying with the Dept. of Children on particular issues.
IFCA was founded in 1981. It was set up as a Company Limited by Guarantee with a Charity Number in 1997.
IFCA works in partnership with Foster Carers, the Dept. of Health & Children, the HSE. and others with an interest in child care.
All members of the IFCA Board of Directors are volunteers.