Fostering is a way of providing family care for children who cannot live in their own families for a variety of reasons. These reasons can include poor parental physical and/or mental health, neglect, abuse, relationship break downs, and a range of other complex factors
Foster care is often used to provide temporary care for children: while their parents get the help they need to sort out their problems; to help children or young people through a difficult period in their lives; or to ensure children get the care they need while longer term plans are being made for their future.
Often children will return home once the problems that caused them to come into foster care have been resolved and their parents are able to look after them safely again.
If children are not able to return home, they may stay in long-term foster care (up to the age of 18 years), be adopted, or move on to live independently.
I’ve moved here from different carers. Since I have lived here, I have felt like a human again, not like a robot. I no longer have to put a smile on my face all day.
Children’s Consultation Fitzgerald Fostering